Portland Timbers Eye Continued Momentum Against Montreal After Record Victory

After setting a club record for the largest margin of victory on Saturday, the Portland Timbers head to Montreal for a midweek clash on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their offensive momentum.

Kevin Kelsy scored twice and contributed two assists as the Timbers (4-6-1, 13 points) secured a dominant 6-0 victory over Sporting KC.

Kristoffer Velde also found the net and added an assist, helping Portland achieve four first-half goals within the first 26 minutes—a record for the fastest four goals in the Timbers’ MLS history.

“People have got to drop their egos and then just keep pushing forward,” said Portland head coach Phil Neville. “Super proud of the performance, and I’ve told them I want a nine-point week and nothing more, nothing less than that.”

“That means every single one of them in there has got to drop their egos.”

Kelsy and Velde each have four goals in 11 matches, leading the team.

Wednesday marks Portland’s only match against Montreal this season. It is the first meeting between the two sides since October 2023, when Montreal triumphed 4-1 on home soil.

Montreal (4-7-0, 12 points) hosts Portland, aiming for a fourth consecutive home win in MLS regular-season play.

The Eastern Conference side comes off a 2-0 victory over Orlando City on Saturday, with both goals scored in stoppage time by Daniel Rios and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

For Rios, the Mexican forward, his penalty kick marked his first MLS goal of the season, which proved to be the game-winner.

Orlando defender Robin Jansson committed a foul on Montreal’s Luca Petrasso in the area, leading to the penalty.

“I was staying in the present and thinking about what could happen and just tried to stay calm and keep my cool,” Rios said regarding the moments before his penalty kick.

Montreal is led by forward Prince Owusu, who has accumulated 10 goal contributions with six goals and four assists.