Antony Brace Sends Portland Timbers To 4-1 Season-Opening Victory vs. Colorado Rapids

750 The Game Staff

What a way to start the season, and a new era under head coach Phil Neville.

The Portland Timbers raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead and didn’t look back to earn a 4-1 victory at home over Colorado Rapids on Saturday night in front of a raucous atmosphere at Providence Park.

Antony, the 22-year-old Brazilian winger acquired late in the summer of 2023, scored a pair of first half goals and influenced another own goal from Rapids defender Sam Vines to help spur the Timbers to victory.

Eryk Williamson opened Portland’s account, scoring with his left foot from a cross on the ground through the box by Juan David Mosquera in the ninth minute. Antony’s first goal came five minutes later to make it 2-0 Timbers in the first fifteen minutes of the match.

In the 29th minute, Williamson sprung Antony into a one-on-one opportunity that Antony eventually was able to put away past Colorado keeper Zack Steffen. The far side official initially ruled Antony offside, but VAR overruled it and awarded Antony his brace.

Antony crossed a ball late in the first half that deflected off Vines and in the goal to make it 4-0 at halftime.

Colorado pulled one back in the second half and ultimately held the statistical advantage across many categories in the box score, but the night belonged to the home side.

The Timbers are 1-0-0 with 3 points to start the season. They’re next in action next Saturday night, March 2nd, against DC United. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. here on 750 The Game and MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.