The Portland Timbers set an MLS record last weekend.
But it was one they would rather have no part of.
The Timbers (3-7-4, 13 points) became the first team in league history to allow two or more goals in 10 consecutive regular-season matches in a 2-1 defeat at Minnesota United.
They’ll look to put an end to that streak Saturday night when they play host to Sporting Kansas City (2-6-5, 11 points), a club that’s winless in its past seven league matches (0-5-2).
“I can’t fault the attitude and the commitment from the boys,” Timbers coach Phil Neville said. “We have been massively, massively let down by individual errors defensively, and until we start cutting out those individual errors, we’ll never be the team that I believe we can be. And ultimately that’s my job to make sure that we eradicate them.”
Jonathan Rodriguez scored the opening goal for the Timbers in the 17th minute before the hosts rallied.
“We had chances to put the game away,” Timbers defender Kamal Miller said. “They scored two goals and we lost.”
The Timbers snapped a nine-game winless streak (0-6-3) in their last home match on May 15, rallying for a 4-2 victory against San Jose. Portland scored all of its goals after the Earthquakes’ Bruno Wilson received a red card in the 71st minute.
Kansas City lost 3-2 at Austin FC last weekend despite goals from Johnny Russell and Jacob Davis.
SKC defeated visiting Tulsa 4-0 Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup as Felipe Hernandez scored twice.
“For sure, it’s two separate competitions that we’re in,” Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said. “We need results in league play.”
The teams played to a 3-3 draw April 7 at Kansas City. Willy Agada scored twice and Dany Rosero also tallied to give the hosts a 3-0 lead. Agada missed a penalty kick in the 60th minute and Evander, Felipe Mora and Eric Miller scored in a 17-minute span as the Timbers salvaged a draw.
–Field Level Media
