By Victor Araiza
The Portland Timbers led from the opening minute to collect a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlético de San Luis on Wednesday night at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on a night when MLS took back momentum from the Liga MX teams after their great start.
David Da Costa hit a stunner off the volley 35 seconds into the match to open the scoring and send the home fans into jubilation.
Kevin Kelsy took to the air in the 56th minute to connect a header on a service from Santiago Moreno for the second Portland goal.
Ariel Lassiter turned on the jets, sprinting from deep in midfield to meet a pass from Diego Chara, to find the back of the net in the 73rd and extend the lead the Rose City club.
Felipe Mora struck with power off the crossbar in the 78th minute to put the exclamation point on the Timbers win.
REACTIONS:
- Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville:
- “Kevin and [Felipe Mora] scoring was huge for us. Huge... I think [Kevin’s] going to be a star. And we have to be patient.”
- “Every Mexican team won last night. So, I think that set the tone for the tournament in terms of these games are going to be difficult. I've scouted San Luis the last two or three games, and I honestly think they're a really well coached team with a tactically astute manager with good rotations.”
- Atlético de San Luis head coach Guillermo Abascal
- “I saw the team until the last minute, the 94th minute, shooting on goal, trying to come back, trying to score…the team also showed once again that it doesn't fall apart in the face of adversity, that is, it doesn't lose its shape in the game, it keeps attacking, it keeps creating chances, it keeps earning corners and shots on goal.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:
- Portland Timbers:
- 21-year-old, Kevin Kelsy, collected his seventh goal across all competitions and ended an eight-match drought
GAME NOTES:
- Porland Timbers extended a perfect record (3-0) in Leagues Cup openers; San Luis extended a winless run (0-5) in the tournament
- Kevin Kelsy opened his Leagues Cup account and was named Man of the Match
- Felipe Mora scored his first goal since May 3, ending a 14-match drought across all competitions
- Ariel Lassiter scored his first goal with Portland since joining the club in December
- James Pantemis made five saves and earned the clean sheet
CARDS/INJURY REPORT:
- Yellow Cards:
- Portland Timbers: Juan Mosquera, Kevin Kelsy
- Atlético de San Luis: Benjamín Galdames, Eduardo Águila, Juan Manuel Sanabria
- Injuries:
- Portland Timbers: David Da Costa exited the match in the 40th minute
LOOKING AHEAD
- Portland Timbers next game: Aug. 2 vs. Queretaro
- Atlético de San Luis next game: Aug. 2 vs. Real Salt Lake