Timbers Suffer 2-0 Road Loss to Charlotte FC

May 4, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Playing a third straight road match, the Portland Timbers suffered a 2-0 loss to Charlotte FC at Bank of America on Saturday night. After a scoreless first half, Charlotte broke through in the 54th minute to take the lead and then doubled their score in the final minutes of stoppage time. The Timbers will return to Providence Park to host Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC next Sunday, May 12, at 1:45 p.m. (Pacific).

Road Trip

The Timbers closed out a three-game road trip today, their longest stretch of consecutive away games in the 2024 schedule. Portland began the trip with a 2-2 draw against the reigning MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew on April 20 at Lower.com Field, and then faced LAFC at BMO Stadium on April 27, suffering a 3-2 result. Additionally, the Timbers have played seven of its last nine games away from Providence Park. Tonight’s match against Charlotte also marked the Timbers’ third road match of the season against an Eastern Conference opponent after previously facing Columbus and NYCFC. Portland will play three of their next four games at home, kicking off the homestand with a Cascadia rivalry matchup against Seattle on May 12.

Goal-Scoring Plays

CLT – Nikola Petkovic (Nathan Byrne), 54th minute: Nikola Petkovic received the ball from Nathan Byrne at the top of the box and took a heavy touch to generate space inside the area. The forward then drove a low shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

CLT – Enzo Copetti, 90+1 minute: Enzo Copetti ran onto the ball at midfield and dribbled down the left and into the box. One-on-one against Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, the Argentine used his right foot to fire a finish at the near post.

Notes

The Timbers closed out a three-game road trip today, their longest stretch of consecutive away games in the 2024 schedule.

Portland has played seven of its last nine games away from Providence Park.

Tonight’s match against Charlotte marked the Timbers’ third road match of the season against an Eastern Conference opponent.

The Timbers faced Charlotte FC for their first-ever meeting in MLS.

Charlotte became Portland’s 29th opponent faced in its MLS history.

Portland was shut out for just the second time this season.

The only other match the Timbers have failed to score in this year was at Houston on March 16.

Cristhian Paredes led the Timbers in duels won (7), successful dribbles (3) and shots on target (2).

Goalkeeper Max…