James Pantemis, Timbers pin first loss on Rapids

Antony and Kevin Kelsy scored goals and goalkeeper James Pantemis turned in a clean sheet as the Portland Timbers blanked the Colorado Rapids 3-0 on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.

The Timbers (2-2-1, 7 points) took a 1-0 lead one minute into first-half stoppage time on an own goal by the Rapids when David Da Costa's shot deflected off the heel of Josh Atencio and into the back of the net.

Antony expanded the lead in the 48th minute when he tucked a shot inside the post. Santiago Moreno picked up the assist with a stretch pass that split the Rapids' back line.

As Colorado (2-1-2, 8 points) played its lines forward, Jimer Fory pushed a deep possession and sent a cross to the left foot of Kelsy who blasted a shot into the back of the net for a 3-0 advantage in the 75th minute.

Kelsy had just entered the game as a substitute.

Both teams struggled to build sustained possessions in the first half as they combined for just nine shots. The Rapids had the only shot on goal in the half.

In the eighth minute, Colorado's Djordje Mihailovic sent a pass into the box for Kevin Cabral, but the Timbers fought off the threat with a clearance to set up the match's first corner kick. The Rapids focused on direct passes to Cabral but none translated to a goal.

After it was allowed to play through a physical challenge at midfield, Portland took advantage, but Diego Chara's shot from outside the box sailed wide right in the 15th minute.

Choppy play continued throughout the midfield until an out-to-in run by Moreno broke through the Rapids' back line, but his shot from inside the box was blocked in the 42nd minute by Keegan Rosenberry.

Pantemis made a save on a point-blank shot by Cabral in the 46th minute. In the 57th minute, Da Costa's shot forced Colorado goalkeeper Adam Beaudry into a sprawling save with his left leg.

Portland finished with an 11-10 edge in shots and led shots on goal by a 5-2 margin. Beaudry made three saves and Pantemis made two.

--Field Level Media