Santiago Moreno lifts Timbers past Sporting Kansas City

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 5:08 am

Timbers' Moreno Scores Stunning Bicycle Kick, Defeats Sporting KC

Portland Timbers secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night, thanks to a breathtaking bicycle kick goal from Santiago Moreno. The match, played on Mother's Day weekend, saw Moreno's spectacular strike in the 10th minute become the highlight of the game, followed by a heartwarming embrace with his mother in the stands.

Moreno's acrobatic goal was a near replay of Kevin Denkey's bicycle kick for FC Cincinnati against Sporting KC on April 26th. The Timbers' victory was further solidified by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who delivered a stellar performance, making three saves to secure his first clean sheet of the season. This was also the fourth clean sheet for Portland (6-3-3, 21 points) this season.

Sporting Kansas City (3-8-1, 10 points) struggled to find the back of the net, marking their third scoreless game of the season and the first under interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin. Despite matching Portland in shots on goal, Sporting KC couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Daniel Salloi was Sporting's most threatening player, but Crepeau consistently denied him, including crucial saves in the 15th, 16th, and 61st minutes.

The win was particularly significant for the Timbers, as it ended a streak of four consecutive matches where they had conceded multiple goals. For Crepeau, it was his third start, as he aims to reclaim the starting goalkeeper position from James Pantemis, who is currently sidelined with a leg injury. Moreno's goal was his third of the season, making him the fourth Timbers player to reach that mark.

Keywords: Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City, MLS, Santiago Moreno, bicycle kick, Maxime Crepeau, clean sheet, Daniel Salloi, Kerry Zavagnin, soccer, football, goal, Mother's Day, Timbers vs Sporting KC, Portland soccer, Kansas City soccer

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