MLS Portland Timbers

Cooper scores historic first goal in Timbers' 3-1 loss

Published on March 19, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Portland Timbers reached a historical milestone on Saturday night as they opened their inaugural Major League Soccer season against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Rapids striker Omar Cummings recorded a goal and an assist to lead the defending-MLS Cup champions to a 3-1 win.

The Timbers opened their debut MLS season almost two years to the day when it was announced that Portland had been awarded the League's 18th franchise on March 20, 2009.

The Rapids scored all three goals in the first half, with the first coming eight minutes in from midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. Colorado expanded its lead near the half hour mark with goals from forward Omar Cummings and midfielder Jamie Smith just a minute apart.

Forward Kenny Cooper scored for the Timbers (0-1-0, 0pts) in the 80th minute, recording the club's first goal in its MLS history on a free kick from 30 yards out. Portland goalkeeper Adin Brown finished the contest with five saves, including four in the second half.

Cummings collected both his goal and his assist in the first half and forward Conor Casey tallied an assist to help the Rapids (1-0-0, 3pts) to their season-opening victory.

A hard-fought effort by Cummings deep in the right corner set up Colorado's opening strike. He worked through a Portland double team and was able to get free down the end line. He slipped a pass into the box, and Brown looked to get a piece of it, but it rolled through and onto the path of Larentowicz charging in from the left side. He fired a shot from the top of the box into the top far corner of the goal.

Cummings caused problems for the Timbers again in the 29th minute, doubling the Rapids' lead 2-0. A long ball played up-field was flicked on by Casey, springing Cummings on a breakaway. Brown was able to stop Cummings' initial shot from the top of the box with diving stop, but the ball was left loose in the center of the box. The forward was the first to the ball and slotted it into an open goal.

A minute later, the Rapids added to their lead on Smith's goal. The ball skipped off a pair of players as it was played up field and fell to Smith in space. Unmarked, he rifled a shot from 25 yards out into the upper corner of the goal for his first strike of the season.

The Timbers were able to create some scoring chances in the second half, and Cooper found the back of the net on one of his two shots in the stanza. A foul on Colorado set up a free kick in the attacking third 30 yards out along the left post. Cooper hit a low drive that skipped under the Rapids wall and bounced though the box before sneaking inside the left post.

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