Timbers cruise past Galaxy for best 10-game start in team history

Phil Neville believes the LA Galaxy are going to start winning games. In fact, Portland’s manager is still pretty confident that the defending MLS Cup champions are going to make the playoffs.

That doesn’t mean, however, that the Timbers were going to volunteer their services in getting the Galaxy out of the basement.

Not with the best start in Portland history on the line.

Kevin Kelsy’s goal in the 63rd minute proved to be the game-winner in a 4-2 Portland victory — a win that improved Portland’s unbeaten streak to seven games, kept the Galaxy winless and, more importantly, gave Portland its best 10-game start to the season in team history.

Three times prior, the Timbers have achieved 17 points through 10 games. With the win, this Timbers (5-2-3) club stands alone with 18 points and now sits second, only behind Vancouver, in the Western Conference standings.

And outside of two minutes in the second half, this one really didn’t look too difficult.

After dominating possession for the majority of the first half, it was David Da Costa’s second goal of the season that finally got things going for the Timbers. Portland’s designated player volleyed a ball chipped into the box by Antony, who had saved a missed Juan Mosquera shot off the goal line from becoming a goal kick in the 38th minute.

And Antony was far from done setting up his teammates.

In the game’s 53rd minute, Antony flew with the ball down the left side and crossed a pass into the box to Santiago Moreno, who blasted the shot past the LA Galaxy keeper. Ten minutes later, Antony found Kelsy for a one-timed, bar-down goal to extend Portland’s lead to 3-0.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: Santiago Moreno #30 of Portland Timbers controls the ball against Diego Fagúndez #7 and Edwin Cerrillo #6 of Los Angeles Galaxy in the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 27, 2025 in Carson, California.Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Antony has gotten plenty of press this season for his team-leading four goals on the season, but the 23-year-old Brazilian has now totaled five assists and is more than halfway to his 2024 goal contribution total (12 to 9) in 23 fewer matches.

While the Galaxy still had some fight in them, scoring a pair of goals in the 67th and 69th minutes to bring the game within a goal, it was only for a moment — in the 76th, Jonathan Rodriguez was brought down in the box, awarded a penalty, and converted for his first goal of the season to give Portland the 4-2 edge.