James Pantemis becomes just the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to make two penalty kick stops in same match.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite two first-half penalty kick stops by James Pantemis – Pantemis becoming just the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to achieve the feat in the same match – the Portland Timbers lost 2-0 to Nashville SC on the road Saturday night at GEODIS Park.
Pantemis Saves Penalties
Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis made two penalty-kick saves in the first half of tonight’s match, just 12 minutes apart (6’, 18’). Notably, he’s the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to save two penalties in the same match and the first to do so since 2017 (Jon Kempin – 2017, Bobby Shuttleworth – 2016, David Ousted – 2015, D.J. Countess – 2003, Tony Meola – 2002). In 17 career appearances for Portland, Pantemis has faced three penalty-kick attempts and has stopped all three. Additionally, the 28-year-old goalkeeper registered a career-best nine saves in tonight’s match.
Goal-Scoring Plays
NSH – Andy Najar (Edvard Tagseth), 45+2 minute: Edvard Tagseth slipped a through pass into the right side of the box for Andy Najar, who finished a right-footed shot from a tight angle at the endline.
NSH – Ahmed Qasem (Daniel Lovitz), 68th minute: Daniel Lovitz controlled the ball from outside of the 18-yard box and whipped in a cross towards the penalty spot. Ahmed Qasem met the ball in the air and headed it into the corner of the goal.
Notes
- Tonight’s match marked the Timbers’ first on the road of the 2025 campaign.
- The result snapped Portland’s unbeaten record against Nashville SC (2-1-2).
- James Pantemis stopped two first-half penalty kick attempts tonight, just 12 minutes apart (6’, 18’).
- Pantemis is the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to save two penalties in the same match and the first since 2017 (Jon Kempin – 2017, Bobby Shuttleworth – 2016, David Ousted – 2015, D.J. Countess – 2003, Tony Meola – 2002).
- In 17 career appearances for Portland, Pantemis has faced three penalty-kick attempts and has stopped all three.
- Pantemis recorded a career-best nine saves in tonight’s match.
- Santiago Moreno made his 2025 season debut as a halftime substitute.
Next Game
Next up, the Timbers will return home to host the LA Galaxy at Providence Park on Sunday, March 16. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm PT (TICKETS) 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 (1-2-0, 3pts) at Nashville SC (1-1-1, 4pts)
March 8, 2025 – GEODIS Park (Nashville, Tenn.)
Scoring Summary:
NSH: Najar (Tagseth), 45+2
NSH: Qasem (Lovitz), 68
Misconduct Summary:
POR: McGraw (caution), 5
POR: Ayala (caution), 82
Lineups:
POR: GK Pantemis, D McGraw © (E. Miller, 46), D Surman, D Smith, M Ayala, M Ortiz (Chara, 46), M Antony, M Fory (K. Miller, 76), F Lassiter (Moreno, 46), F Kelsy (Mora, 76), F Da Costa
Substitutes Not Used: GK Muse, D Bravo, D Zuparic, M Paredes
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Antony, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Antony, 3); FOULS: 9 (Chara, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 9
NSH: GK Willis, D Najar (Bauer, 90), D Zimmerman ©, D Maher, D Lovitz, M Tagseth, M Muyl, M Yazbek (Brugman, 86), F Muhktar (Bunbury, 77), F Surridge, F Qasem (Perez, 77)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Schwake, D Applewhite, D Meyer, D Washington, M Corcoran
TOTAL SHOTS: 23 (Mukhtar, 6) SHOTS ON GOAL: 11 (Mukhtar, 3); FOULS: 9 (Pereira, Vazquez, 2); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4
Referee: Filip Dujic
Assistant Referees: Walt Heatherly, Nick Balcer
Fourth Official: Chris Penso
VAR: David Barrie
Attendance: 24,432
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
