Timbers Close Busy Stretch Falling to Austin F.C

Portland and MLS-newcomers Austin F.C met for the first time Thursday night and Austin was far superior in a convincing 4-1 home victory. It was the breakout Austin needed after scoring just six goals in 11 games and none in any MLS home games. For Portland, the sour taste will sit in their mouths with a 16-day break after four games in the last 13 days.

“It was one of my toughest nights in my time in Portland,” said Portland Head Coach Gio Savarese.

It was all Austin early with Jon Gallagher getting the party started in the 28th minute slotting a low ball past Steve Clark. Gallagher’s goal was the first MLS goal in the history of Q2 Stadium. The second goal in Austin history did not have to wait long after Midfielder Diego Fagundez made it 2-0 just five minutes later.

While Portland yielded 66% possession in the opening 45 minutes, they showed life in the first half when Jeremy Ebobisse scored deep into the plus-six stoppage time.

That’s where the positives ended for Portland, conceding two more in the 77th and 81st minutes to truly put the nail in the coffin. Austin and Portland are now level on 13 points each with the Timbers falling to 4-1-6 on the MLS campaign. The next match for Portland is Dallas at Providence Park on July 17th.