Out to build on opening win, Austin FC battle Timbers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 1st March, 24:22 2025

Feb 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Austin FC forward Osman Bukari (11) shoots on goal during the first half against Sporting Kansas City at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Portland Timbers were at full strength for just 10 full minutes of their season opener, and the result reflected that.

Portland will look to bounce back from a 4-1 road loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps when it hosts Austin FC on Saturday night.

An 11th-minute red card to Kamal Miller left the Timbers (0-1-0, 0 points) with just 10 men on the pitch, and the Whitecaps scored all four of their goals while holding the man advantage.

Portland also is short on players, including star forward Jonathan Rodriguez (knee), who missed the opener and was placed on the six-game injured list.

Rodriguez had a team-leading 16 goals and added five assists last season in his first campaign with the Timbers.

Portland is considering making additions to shore up its roster.

"We're not making any excuses," coach Phil Neville said. "We had a plan and as of right now, we're probably not able to execute the plan that we want as for the system and the way we want to play."

Antony scored the lone goal for Portland against Vancouver in the 73rd minute. Antony had six goals in 2024.

Meanwhile, Austin (1-0-0, 3 points) prevailed in its opener by edging visiting Sporting Kansas City 1-0. Osman Bukari scored the Austin goal with a header off Owen Wolff's corner kick in the 76th minute.

"It gave me confidence and it gave the team confidence," Bukari said. "We needed that."

The victory came in Nico Estevez's first match as Austin coach. He knows he has a lot to learn about his new troops.

"We need more games to evaluate things," Estevez said. "So far, they are training hard and playing hard and we are happy with what we're seeing."

Estevez took over as coach of a team that missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

Portland was routed by Vancouver 5-0 in the Western Conference wild-card game last season after missing the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons.

Star forward Felipe Mora (career-high 14 goals in 2024) is counting on a deep postseason run for the Timbers in 2025.

"We really do want to have a better season," Mora said. "I think we deserve it."

The teams split two matchups last season, each winning on the road.

--Field Level Media

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