Mora, Evander spark Timbers to 2-1 victory over Sporting KC

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Felipe Mora and Evander both had a goal and an assist and the Portland Timbers won for just the second time in 12 matches by handing Sporting Kansas City its fifth straight defeat with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.

Portland (4-7-4) improves to 2-7-3 in its last 12 matches under first-year manager Phil Neville. The Timbers had allowed multiple goals in 10 straight matches entering play.

Sporting KC (2-7-5) is winless in its last eight outings.

Mora scored for a seventh time this season, using an assist from Evander to give Portland a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.

Memo Rodríguez took a pass from Alan Pulido and scored his first goal of the season in his 100th career start, pulling Sporting KC even in the 63rd minute.

Evander scored the winner in the 79th minute with assists from Mora and Jonathan Rodríguez. Evander’s goal was his sixth of the season. Rodríguez’s assist was his third this season to go along with five goals, making the Timbers the only team to have three players with at least five netters.

Sporting Kansas City’s Tim Melia — the club’s all-time leader in wins, saves and shutouts — made his team-record 250th career start. Melia topped 25,000 minutes played through all competitions in the 61st minute. He finished with two saves. Teammate Andreu Fontas passed the 10,000-minute mark in regular-season action in the 61st minute also.

Maxime Crépeau totaled one save for the Timbers. Melia saved one shot and Crépeau wasn’t tested in a scoreless first half.

The all-time series was deadlocked at 9-9-9 entering the match.

The Timbers travel to play Austin FC on Wednesday. Sporting KC returns home to host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.

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