Sallói sparks Sporting KC to 4-1 victory over Timbers
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Erik Thommy gets past Portland Timbers defender Claudio Bravo (5) to kick for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Dániel Sallói scored the go-ahead goal and Sporting Kansas City used an own-goal by Portland's Larrys Mabiala to provide some cushion in a 4-1 victory over the Timbers on Sunday.
Portland jumped on top early on Franck Boli's third goal of the season — unassisted in the 8th minute.
Erik Thommy scored the equalizer for Sporting KC (3-8-4) when he took a pass from Marinos Tzionis in the 33rd minute and notched his second goal this season.
Things fell apart for the Timbers (4-7-4) over a two-minute span of the second half.
First, Sallói scored for a third time this season, using an assist from Graham Zusi to find the net in the 66th minute. Then came Mabiala's own-goal two minutes later and Portland never recovered.
Roger Espinoza picked up an assist in the third minute of stoppage time on Felipe Hernández's first netter of the season.
Kendall McIntosh finished with two saves in his third start for Sporting KC. Aljaz Ivacic saved four shots for the Timbers.
Portland Timbers forward Franck Boli, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
The Timbers beat Sporting KC 1-0 in the season opener. Portland has never beaten SKC twice in the same season.
Sporting KC will host FC Dallas on Wednesday. Portland travels to play the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
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