It was their best week of the year, one that not only saw the Portland Timbers collect their first two shutouts of the season but also post lopsided victories across two competitions.
In a season that’s seen road test after road test keep them from building significant momentum, Portland used their first back-to-back home games of the year to flash their potential. A 4-0 win, more than 500 passes in U.S. Open Cup play against the LA Galaxy. A 4-0 win, more than 500 passes in a Major League Soccer match against the Houston Dynamo. Both opponents were forced to start hamstrung lineups, but even in circumstances where Portland was expected to win, the team exceeded expectations.