Second-Half Storm: Timbers Outlast Sporting KC in 4-2 Showdown

In a fiery clash at Children’s Mercy Park, the Portland Timbers surged ahead in the second half to earn a dramatic 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City, thanks to a Kevin Kelsy brace and an unfortunate own goal by Jansen Miller that capped a rough night for the hosts.

First Half: Free-Kick Fireworks and End-to-End Action

The match got off to a blistering start, and it didn’t take long for Portland to break the deadlock. In the 10th minute, David Ayala opened the scoring with a clinical low finish from the center of the box, assisted by David Da Costa. Just six minutes later, Shapi Suleymanov responded for Kansas City with a brilliant left-footed free kick that curled into the bottom corner, leveling the match at 1-1.

The visitors retook the lead in the 26th minute when Kevin Kelsy struck from the center of the box after receiving a perfect through-ball from Ayala. But Sporting KC were not ready to fold—Dejan Joveljic converted a 33rd-minute penalty after a foul on Suleymanov, sending James Pantemis the wrong way to bring it back to 2-2 before halftime.

Second Half: Timbers Take Control

After the break, the Timbers came out with renewed energy. In the 49th minute, Kelsy bagged his second, calmly finishing a low strike into the middle-left of the net after a neat assist from Antony Alves Santos, giving Portland a 3-2 lead.

Just five minutes later, disaster struck for the home side. Under pressure from a Timbers corner, Jansen Miller inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, handing Portland a 4-2 cushion that deflated the Kansas City momentum.

Pantemis Stands Tall

Despite the two-goal deficit, Sporting KC continued to fight. They pressed high and forced a penalty in stoppage time after a handball in the box. But Dejan Joveljic’s second penalty attempt was denied brilliantly by James Pantemis, who guessed correctly and smothered the shot to preserve the two-goal advantage.

Pantemis was immense throughout, tallying multiple saves—including a close-range header from Joveljic in the 90+3rd minute—cementing his place as one of the night’s standout performers.

Key Stats

• Kevin Kelsy (Portland Timbers) – 2 goals, 3 shots, 1 key pass

• Dejan Joveljic (Sporting KC) – 1 goal (pen), 1 missed penalty, 5 attempts

• James Pantemis (Portland Timbers) – 7 saves, 1 penalty save

• Possession: Sporting KC 53% – Portland 47%

• Expected Goals (xG): Sporting KC 2.56 – Portland Timbers 2.15

Notable Bookings

• Antony Alves Santos (Portland) – Yellow (28')

• Ian Smith (Portland) – Yellow (22')

• Joaquín Fernández (Sporting KC) – Yellow (45+6')

• Diego Chará (Portland) – Yellow (58')

• Ariel Lassiter (Portland) – Yellow (78')

Substitutions and Tactical Shifts

Both coaches made key adjustments. Sporting KC tried to push numbers forward with Afrifa, Agada, and Thommy off the bench, but Portland’s compact defensive shape and Pantemis' heroics made the difference. Portland countered effectively, making late changes with Mora, Lassiter, and Paredes helping to see out the result.

Final Whistle

A match that had it all—six goals, a saved penalty, a nervy own goal, and non-stop action—ended with Portland Timbers taking all three points back to Oregon. Sporting KC showed flashes of brilliance, but defensive lapses and missed chances ultimately spelled their downfall.

Next up, Sporting KC look to regroup ahead of a tough away trip, while Portland ride the wave of momentum as their attack begins to truly click into gear.