Timbers Down Colorado Rapids 4-1 in MLS Season Opener at Providence Park

February 25, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers downed the Colorado Rapids with a decisive 4-1 victory in their 2024 MLS season opener at Providence Park on Saturday night. Eryk Williamson scored Portland’s first goal of the season to open the match, and Antony followed up with a brace to extend the lead. The Timbers received a fourth goal before the half from an own goal to seal the win.

Year 14

The Timbers kicked off their 14th season in MLS tonight. Portland is 5-4-5 in season openers, and 8-2-4 all time in home openers at Providence Park. In his first match at the helm for the Timbers, newly appointed Head Coach Phil Neville earned his first win with the club. Notably, he is the first head coach in club history to win his first match with the team. Portland scored the most goals of any team in MLS this week. Scoring four goals in the match, it marked the second-most goals scored by the Timbers in a season opener. Portland scored five against Minnesota United in 2017. It also marks just the second MLS match in which the Timbers have scored four first-half goals in. August 28, 2016, vs. Seattle Sounders was the first and only other time they’ve done so.

Setting the Standard

Eryk Williamson scored Portland’s first goal of the season. It marked Williamson’s fifth career MLS goal and first since May 1, 2021. Notably, tonight’s appearance was Williamson’s first since returning from an ACL injury in the 2023 season. Antony tallied his first career brace in the match. It marked the 56th brace in club history.Juan Mosquera, Cristhian Paredes and Williamson tallied an assist each. With a goal and an assist in tonight’s match, Williamson logged the third multi-goal contribution performance of his career. It marked Paredes’ 15th career regular season assist for the Timbers, and the seventh of Mosquera’s.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR – Eryk Williamson (Juan Mosquera), 9th minute: Playing a give-and-go with Santiago Moreno on the right wing, Juan Mosquera sent a one-touch cross back across the middle of the box. Eryk Williamson found the open space and fired a left-footed strike into the top left corner of the goal.

POR – Antony (Cristhian Paredes), 14th minute: Cristhian Paredes received the ball near the corner of the 18-yard box, took a touch and served a cross into the penalty spot. Antony finished the play with a diving header into the back of the net.

POR – Antony (Eryk Williamson), 29th minute:…