Kevin Kelsy tallied a brace and two assists in team's record-setting win.
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers set a club record for largest margin of victory as Kevin Kelsy earned a brace and added two assists in the team's 6-0 shutout win over Sporting Kansas City Saturday night at Providence Park.
Kristoffer Velde scored and added two assists, Cole Bassett earned his first goal in a Timbers uniform – and added an assist – David Da Costa contributed two helpers plus Ariel Lassiter came off the bench in the second half to tally a goal and an assist in the rout.
Portland's four first-half goals scored within the first 26 minutes was the fastest to four scored in the Timbers MLS era and fourth fastest in MLS history.
Etched in Club History
The Timbers scored a season-high six goals in the match, marking the largest margin of victory in club history. It marked the first time Portland has scored six goals in a match since registering a 7-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on May 14, 2022. Notably, four goals scored in the first 26 minutes of a match is the fourth fastest feat by any team in league history. Additionally, the Timbers registered their first clean sheet of the season. The win improves Portland’s home record to 3-1-1 in 2026.
Goals Galore
Four different players registered a goal tonight (Kevin Kelsy x2, Kristoffer Velde, Cole Bassett, Ariel Lassiter) and six different players recorded an assist (David Da Costa x2, Kelsy x2, Alexander Aravena, Cole Bassett, Ariel Lassiter, Kristoffer Velde). Notably, each goalscorer also tallied at least one assist, while Kelsy tallied a match-high four goal contributions this evening (2G, 2A). Velde’s goal and Kelsy's brace brought the pair to a co-leading four goals each on the season. Cole Bassett scored his first goal in Green and Gold.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Kristoffer Velde (David Da Costa, Kevin Kelsy), 6th minute: After receiving a short pass from David Da Costa outside the box, Kristoffer Velde controlled the ball in space, set himself up and unleashed a right-footed screamer into the far upper 90 from beyond the semi-circle.
POR – Kevin Kelsy (David Da Costa, Cole Bassett), 15th minute: Following a ball recovery just outside the box, Cole Bassett connected with David Da Costa inside the 18-yard-box who skillfully flicked it behind for Kevin Kelsy to fire a low-left footed shot inside the near post from just outside the six-yard box.
POR – Cole Bassett (Kevin Kelsy, Kristoffer Velde), 22nd minute: Cole Bassett tapped a loose Kevin Kelsy headed ball in the box with his right foot from close range.
POR – Own Goal (Jake Davis), 26th minute: Brandon Bye sent a low cross into the box where Kansas City defenders attempted to clear the ball, striking Jake Davis and ricocheting back into goal.
POR – Ariel Lassiter, 71st minute: On a direct free kick from outside of the box, Ariel Lassiter struck a left-footed curler over the wall and into the goalkeeper’s right upper 90.
POR – Kevin Kelsy (Ariel Lassiter, Alexander Aravena), 74th minute: Ariel Lassiter floated a ball into the far post over the defense where Kevin Kelsy struck the arriving cross with a low left-footed shot to the near post.
Notes
- Portland’s 6-0 win marked the largest margin of victory in club history.
- The Timbers scored a season-high six goals in the match.
- It marked the first time Portland has scored six goals in a match since a 7-2 victory over Sporting KC on May 14, 2022.
- Portland’s four goals in the first 26 minutes of the match is the fourth fastest feat by a team in league history.
- The Timbers had a 100% shot conversion rate with six shots on target.
- Portland improved its home record to 3-1-1 in 2026.
- All four of Portland’s goal scorers (Kevin Kelsy x2, Kristoffer Velde, Cole Bassett, Ariel Lassiter) also tallied at least one assist in the match.
- Kristoffer Velde opened the scoring on the night with his co-leading fourth goal of the 2026 MLS season.
- Notably, Velde also provided an assist on Portland’s third goal, his second this year.
- Kevin Kelsy notched a brace, registering his third and co-leading fourth goal of the campaign.
- Additionally, Kelsy recorded two first half assists, recording a match-high four goal contributions (2G, 2A).
- Cole Bassett scored his first goal in Green and Gold.
- Additionally, Bassett provided an assist in the Timbers’ opening goal.
- Bassett has registered four goal contributions in seven appearances (all starts) in his first season in Portland.
- Ariel Lassiter scored his second goal of the season and the Timbers’ first free-kick goal of the year.
- Notably, Lassiter also provided an assist, his first of the campaign and third goal contribution of the season.
- David Da Costa tallied two assists in the match.
- Alexander Aravena notched his first goal contribution for Portland with an assist.
- Goalkeeper James Pantemis recorded a shutout, the first for the Timbers this year, providing three saves.
Next Game
The Timbers will hit the road to face CF Montréal for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, May 13. Kickoff at Stade Saputo is set for 4:30pm PT on Apple TV in English and Spanish with local radio broadcasts on 1080 AM The Fan (English) and La GranD 93.5 FM/1150AM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (4-6-1, 13pts) vs. Sporting Kansas City (1-8-2, 5pts)
May 9, 2026 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half |
1 |
2 |
F |
Portland Timbers |
4 |
2 |
6 |
Sporting Kansas City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Scoring Summary:
POR: Velde (Da Costa, Kelsy), 6
POR: Kelsy (Da Costa, Bassett), 15
POR: Bassett (Kelsy, Velde), 22
POR: Own goal (Davis), 26
POR: Lassiter, 71
POR: Kelsy (Lassiter, Aravena), 74
Misconduct Summary:
SKC: Berg Johnsen (caution), 19
POR: Caicedo (caution), 33
SKC: Davis (caution), 41
SKC: Reid (caution), 45+3
SKC: Bartlow (caution), 53
SKC: Capemba (caution), 76
Lineups:
POR: GK Pantemis, D Bye, D Surman ©, D K. Miller, D Fory (Smith, 61), M Bassett (Ortiz, 61), M Caicedo (Chara, 46), F Velde, M Da Costa (Aravena, 61), F Antony (Lassiter, 61), F Kelsy
Substitutes Not Used: GK Muse, D Bonetig, D Jura, F Mora
TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Kelsy, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Kelsy, 2); FOULS: 11 (Kelsy, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 3
SKC: GK Cleveland, D Davis, D Bartlow, D Meyer, D Reid, D Bartlett, M Garcia (Harris, 46), M Berg Johnsen (Bassong, 60), F Suleymanov (James, 46), F Capita (Afrifa, 76), F Joveljic ©
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pulskamp, GK Schewe, D Lurot, M Tschantret, F Calheira
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Afrifa, Harris, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (three players tied, 1); FOULS: 20 (Capemba, 5); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 1
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Ryan Graves, Kali Smith
Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro
VAR: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 22,384
