Eryk Williamson listed to the bench
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers head coach Phil Neville has been named the MLS Coach of the Matchday for Matchday 1 and 2, the league announced today. In the first week of the 2024 season, Neville led the Timbers to a 4-1 home win over the Colorado Rapids on Feb. 24. Additionally, forward Antony also made the Team of the Matchday after recording a brace in the match, while midfielder Eryk Williamson was listed to the bench for scoring the opening goal of the match.
Saturday’s victory over Colorado marked Neville’s first match at the helm of the Timbers after being named the fourth head coach in the club’s MLS era on Nov. 6, 2023. The match was the Timbers’ first of the season after kicking off their 14th season in MLS. Notably, Neville is the first head coach in club history to win his first match with the team. Portland scored the most goals of any team in MLS this week, marking the second-most goals scored by the Timbers in a season opener. It also marks just the second MLS match in which the Timbers have scored four first-half goals in.
Antony tallied his first career brace in the match, marking the 56th brace in club history. Since joining the club on Aug. 2, 2023, the Brazilian winger has recorded three goals in 10 regular season appearances (four starts).
Williamson helped the Portland to its first win after scoring the first goal of the season in the ninth minute of the match. It marked Williamson’s fifth career MLS goal and first since May 1, 2021. Notably, with a goal and an assist in the match, Williamson logged the third multi-goal contribution performance of his career.
Up next, the Timbers will host D.C. United on Saturday, March 2 at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm PT and will stream on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish as well as local radio broadcasts, 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
