Najar and Qasem each score a goal as Nashville beats Timbers 2-0

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:01 PM CST Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025 Last Modified: 11:18 PM CST Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025

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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.

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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.

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This article was published 08/03/2025 (575 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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 Timbers defender Ian Smith (23) moves the ball as Nashville SC defender Andy Najar, right, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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.