NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Andy Najar opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, Ahmed Qasem scored his first career MLS goal and Nashville SC beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night.
After a series of short quick passes, Edvard Tagseth played a ball from the edge of the area to Najar for a low one-touch finish from the right side. The 31-year-old Najar, who played in Honduras last season, scored his first MLS goal since 2021 and Nashville’s first of the season.
Daniel Lovitz played an arcing ball-in from the left side to the 21-year-old Qasem for a header that slipped inside the near post to give Nashville (1-1-1) a 2-0 lead.
Portland (1-2-0) had just 45% possession and was outshot 23-9, 10-4 on target.
James Pantemis had nine saves for the Timbers and became the second goalkeeper in MLS history to save multiple penalty shots in a single half, joining Tony Meola (Kansas City Wizards, Aug. 10, 2002). The 28-year-old homegrown stopped a PK by Hany Mukhtar in the sixth minute and denied Sam Surridge’s try from the spot in the 18th.
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