SEATTLE (AP) – Kevin Kelce had two goals and an assist as the Portland Timbers defeated the Seattle Sounders 5-1 on Thursday night as MLS resumed play after the FIFA World Cup hiatus.
Portland (5-8-2) won its first game under 35-year-old interim manager Jack Cassidy after Phil Neville was fired last month after two and a half seasons at the helm.
Cassidy defeated the league’s longest-serving manager, Brian Schmetzer, and surpassed the Timbers’ previous largest margin of victory at Lumen Field (a 3-0 win on July 9, 2022).
Kelsey scores Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute with a header assisted by defenders Jimmer Foley and Diego Chara. Foley’s third assist already matches his total as a rookie last season. Chara’s helper was his first helper.
Kamal Miller, Cole Bassett and Kelce scored in the first seven minutes of the second half, and Portland went all the way to the basket, handing the Sounders (7-4-3) their third straight home loss for the second year in a row.
Miller scored his first goal of the season in the 56th minute after receiving a pass from fellow defenders Brandon Bye and Ariel Lassiter. Bye had his second assist and Lassiter had his first.
Bassett found the back of the net for the second time four minutes later with assists from David da Coste (fifth) and Kelsey (fourth).
Kelsey scores He scored his sixth goal without an assist in the 63rd minute, making it 4-0.
Seattle avoided a shutout in the 87th inning when defenseman Hassani Dotson scored off a pass from Albert Rusnak. It was Dotson’s first goal of the season and Rushnak’s fifth assist.
newcomer alexander Aravena scores He scored his first goal in the 8th minute of stoppage time and sealed the final margin. Da Costa added another assist, while Felipe Mora got his first.
James Pantemis saved six shots for Portland.
Andrew Thomas had five saves for Seattle. Thomas had three saves in the first half and Pantemis had two.
to the next
Portland: Hosts FC Dallas on Wednesday.
Seattle: Wednesday at Austin FC.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
