Da Costa scores first career goal for Portland as Timbers pick up first win of 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. – David Da Costa scored his first goal in a Portland uniform – a free kick strike in the 89th minute – to lift the Portland Timbers to a 1-0 victory over Austin FC Saturday night at Providence Park. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made four saves and the Portland defense held firm for the clean sheet and the team's first win of the 2025 MLS regular season.
A Night of Firsts
Tonight’s match was Portland’s first win of the season (1-1-0) and midfielder David Da Costa scored his first MLS goal in his first start for the Timbers tonight. Notably, Da Costa’s goal came as a game-winning goal in the 89th minute. Portland tallied its first clean sheet of the season. Goalkeeper James Pantemis made his first appearance of the season tonight and defender Ian Smith registered his first start of the season.
Green > Verde
Tonight’s match marked the 10th all-time matchup between Portland and Austin, with the Timbers leading the series 6-3-1 and 3-1-1 when playing at Providence Park. The Timbers have gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches against the Texan side (6-1-1). In that stretch, Portland has outscored Austin 13-5 and has kept four clean sheets. Notably, tonight’s clean sheet was goalkeeper James Pantemis’ second against Austin FC (May 29, 2024, March 1, 2025).
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – David Da Costa, 89th minute: Off a free kick near the left-side of the 18-yard box, David Da Costa shot and curled the ball into the bottom-right corner of the goal.
Notes
- Tonight’s match was Portland’s first win of the season (1-1-0).
- The Timbers are 6-3-1 when playing against Austin FC and 3-1-1 when playing at Providence Park.
- Newly signed Designated Player David Da Costa scored his first MLS goal tonight.
- Notably, Da Costa’s goal came as a game-winning goal in the 89th minute of the match.
- Tonight’s win marked Portland’s first clean sheet of the season.
- James Pantemis recorded his first appearance of the season and 16th (15 starts) with the Timbers.
- Pantemis registered four saves tonight.
- Notably, it was Pantemis’ sixth clean sheet with Portland, and second against Austin FC (May 29, 2024, March 1, 2025).
- David Da Costa, Ariel Lassiter, Ian Smith and James Pantemis recorded their first starts of the season tonight.
Matchcenter
Next Game
The Timbers will travel to their first match on the road when they take on Nashville SC on Saturday, March 8 at Geodis Park. Kickoff is set for 5:30pm PT 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).
Portland Timbers (1-1-0, 3pts) vs. Austin FC (1-1-0, 3pts)
March 1, 2025 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Da Costa, 89
Misconduct Summary:
POR: McGraw (caution), 39
ATX: Pereira (caution), 44
POR: Antony (caution), 53
POR: Fory (caution), 55
POR: Ortiz (caution), 64
POR: Paredes (caution), 90+1
Lineups:
POR: GK Pantemis, D Fory, D McGraw, D Surman, D Smith, Ayala (Paredes, 82), M Da Costa (Bravo, 90+3), M Ortiz (Chara, 66), F Antony, F Lassiter (E. Miller, 82), F Mora (Kelsy, 66)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Muse, F Linhares
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Da Costa, Mora, 1); FOULS: 9 (Fory, Surman, 5); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4
ATX: GK Stuver, D Biro D Cascante (Svatok, 42), D Desler, D Hines-Ike, M Bukari, M Obrian (Uzuni, 62), M Bukari (Gallagher, 82), M Sánchez (Sabovic, 62), F Vázquez, F Wolff (Dubersarsky, 82)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Cleveland, D Kolmanic, F Fodrey, F Rubio
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Vazquez, 3) SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Vazquez, 2); FOULS: 15 (Pereira, Vazquez, 2); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 0
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Kevin Lock
Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 20,032
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
