MLS: Timbers run riot as Nashville hit back late on
Sporting Kansas City were thrashed 6-0 by the Portland Timbers on Saturday, while MLS Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC hit back late.
Kevin Kelsy led the way as the Portland Timbers hammered Sporting Kansas City 6-0 in a statement performance from Phil Neville's team.
Portland have struggled for consistency in MLS this term, but they found their groove in style at Providence Park.
Kelsy scored twice and had an assist, with Kristoffer Velde, Cole Basset and Ariel Lassiter also on the scoresheet, while Jake Davis netted an own goal in a historic victory.
The Timbers, who were 4-0 up inside 26 minutes, have won three of their last four games and have moved into 11th in the Western Conference.
Nashville SC, meanwhile, fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with D.C. United thanks to a double from Warren Madrigal.
Quickfire goals from Louis Munteanu and Lucas Bartlett had put D.C. in control in the first half, but Eastern Conference leaders Nashville ensured they stretched their unbeaten streak to five league games.
A top-of-the-standings clash in the West saw Sebastian Berhalter's 76th-minute goal clinch a 1-1 draw for the Vancouver Whitecaps against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Data Debrief: Portland's record win
Their 6-0 triumph marked Portland's biggest margin of victory in an MLS game.
Remarkably, they netted with five of their six attempts on target, with their haul coming from chances worth only 1.34 expected goals.
That is helped by the fact two of their strikes – the ones from Velde and Lassiter - came from range. But Portland did post a whopping 74 final third entries compared to SKC's 36.
Velde was brilliant, creating a team-high five chances and registering a game-leading 36 passes into the final third, while Kelsy led the way for shots (five).









