One set-in-stone takeaway from yesterday's massive victory: Kevin Kelsy has arrived and he's here to stay. #RCTID

My recap of yesterday's win. #RCTID

Picture quality is an improvement, but the direction of matches is a serious problem. So many shots dedicated to sideline views while the ball is in play. Camera angles are dependent on the stadium. With better match directors, Apple's live-match broadcasts wouldn't be a serious issue.

Imagine NOT beating SKC in 2026. Lol. #RCTID

"I watch a lot of tape and ultimately I've been in this league long enough to know that there are spaces for me." -Kevin Kelsy #RCTID

"I'm happy that the team is growing in confidence. We like to take advantage of these opportunities." -Kevin Kelsy #RCTID

"The team is above the name on the back of the jersey." -Kevin Kelsy #RCTID

Kevin Kelsy, holding the microphone, says that he wants to keep pushing the team forward. #RCTID

"Those are the best ones. You want to play in those types of games. We're very excited for that game, obviously. It's the next game after Montreal, so all eyes are on Montreal." -Cole Bassett on playing Miami next weekend #RCTID

Per Cole Bassett, Phil Neville told the team after the game "We can't be satisfied with a win like this." #RCTID

Cole Bassett says that the team watched Bayern-PSG during the week and Phil Neville made them notice how Ousmane Dembele kept supporting the team from the bench. #RCTID

"It felt amazing. For me it took a few games too long. As a goalscoring midfielder, I feel like I should have a few more." -Cole Bassett on scoring his first Timbers goal #RCTID

"The people of Portland, their life is this club. I want them to go out and be entertained." -Phil Neville #RCTID

"I thought Kamal gave the defense some real composure. Clean sheets are the foundation for success. We're not getting carried away with this. I want consistency, and that's what we're going to demand." -Phil Neville #RCTID

"I think the LAFC game was the template for how I want this group to play. I want them to go on the pitch and dance. When they play with that kind of freedom, you get performances like tonight." -Phil Neville #RCTID

"I wanted a professional performance in the second half, I thought the last 15 minutes wasn't what I wanted." -Phil Neville #RCTID

"They don't realize how much I love them, and sometimes you have to be extra tough with the people that you love." -Phil Neville #RCTID

"I've told them that I want a 9-point week," says Phil Neville. He notes that the entire team needs to drop their egos. #RCTID

"We're nowhere near the level that I believe that we can be at. I saw a team that dropped their ego and played as a team." -Phil Neville #RCTID

This is the most logs I've ever seen (since the 7-2 against SKC in 2022, at least) #RCTID

Largest margin of victory in a MLS game (6-0). First clean sheet of the season. Some special goals. Plenty of boxes checked, including the free space on the bingo card. 3 points to the TREES. #RCTID

What the hell is Ian James doing in zone 14? #RCTID

This is the one. Perfect runs and perfect ball movement. A stunning counterattack. Best goal of the night. #RCTID

KELSY FINDS ARAVENA WITH A STUNNING FLICK, WHO SWITCHES IT TO LASSITER, AND THE COSTA RICAN PLAYS A BEAUTIFUL CROSS TO THE BACK POST AND AN EASY FINISH FOR THE VENEZUELAN INCREASES PORTLAND'S LEAD TO 6-0 IN THE 74TH MINUTE OH MY GOODNESS #RCTID

LASSITER CURLS THE FREE KICK PAST STEVE OF CLEVE, IT'S AN ABSOLUTE PEARLER AND IT GIVES THE TIMBERS A 5-0 LEAD IN THE 71ST MINUTE #RCTID

Neville empties the sub clip in the 61st minute. Lassiter, Smith, Aravena, and Ortiz replace Bassett, Antony, Da Costa, and Fory. No subs left for the Timbers. #RCTID

Diego Chara (the Grand Marshal of the Starlight Parade) enters for Caicedo at halftime. Ian James and Calvin Harris replace Garcia and Shapi. #RCTID

By the way, that Velde goal is almost a carbon-copy of Blanco's goal against SKC in the 2018 playoffs. Almost the same spot on the field with the same spin on the ball. Goodness. #RCTID

I want to see Sawyer Jura at some point in the second half, and an early sub for the yellow-carded Caicedo. Keeping the clean sheet is of the utmost importance. #RCTID

By the way, that first half featured 4 goals from 0.6 xG, 7 total shots, 3 shots on target, and only 12 touches in SKC's box. It's fair to question whether or not the strategy is sustainable. However, they needed these goals. #RCTID

Halftime thoughts from the pressbox: -Best Timbers first half since July 2024 against Nashville, another game where the Timbers led 4-0 at the break. -How much of their possession strategy can work against non-SKC teams? #RCTID

Joveljic was miles offside, yet the play continued. BLOW THOSE PLAYS DEAD IMMEDIATELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OFFSIDE IS BLATANTLY OBVIOUS. #RCTID

Caicedo picks up a yellow card for being very late on a challenge on Shapi. #RCTID

VELDE PLAYS A THROUGH BALL TO BYE, WHO CROSSES IT INTO THE BOX FOR A COMEDY OF ERRORS AS THE BALL PINBALLS OFF OF MEYER BEFORE EVENTUALLY GETTING PUT HOME BY JAKE DAVIS FOR A HILARIOUS OWN GOAL AND A 4-0 TIMBERS LEAD IN THE 26TH MINUTE #RCTID

VELDE'S CROSS IS HEADED BY KELSY AND THE REBOUND FALLS TO GOALLLLLLLLL BASSETT FOR HIS FIRST IN TIMBERS COLORS AND A 3-0 LEAD IN THE 22ND MINUTE GET INNNNNNNN #RCTID

LBJ (Lasse Berg Johnsen) just made two fouls in two seconds, which resulted in a deserved yellow card. Kamal Miller rushes to Da Costa's defense, and Shapi starts jawing at the retreating Canadian. Already pretty spicy through 20 mins. #RCTID

They absolutely had to get a commanding lead early. Mission accomplished. Go get three more goals, at least. #RCTID

BASSETT FINDS DA COSTA WHO BACKHEELS IT TO KEVIN KELSY AND A CALM FINISH PAST STEVE OF CLEVE GIVES THE TIMBERS A 2-0 LEAD IN THE 15TH MINUTE BAAAAAAANG #RCTID

They've been very calm and composed on the ball throughout the start of the game, but this goal didn't come from good possession play. Velde had a moment of DP quality. A goal's a goal though! #RCTID

DA COSTA PASSES IT TO VELDE WHO UNCORKS A BELTER FROM DEEP TO BEAT CLEVELAND AND GIVE THE TIMBERS A 1-0 LEAD IN THE 7TH MINUTE WOWWWWWW #RCTID

And a full rail banner from the Timbers Army. #SaveTheCaps #RCTID

Now joined by a reminder to do your civic duties. #RCTID

#SaveTheCaps banner in the North End. #RCTID

Sam Sarver score a goal without taking your shirt off challenge: IMPOSSIBLE

No back three, no major changes outside of the K. Miller/Bonetig swap, no excuses. A "normal" win qualifies as meeting expectations. Any win, as a matter of fact, is meeting expectations. Any result less than a win is a humongous disappointment. Such are the stakes. #RCTID

Same lineup as last weekend, when SKC drew the Sounders 1-1. 4-2-3-1 shape with Davis at RB. #RCTID

Only change from last weekend: Kamal Miller for Alex Bonetig. Mosquera doesn't make the bench. Antony starts over Aravena. #RCTID

Not very fun to see Evander and Santiago Moreno on the scoresheet for their respective clubs. Not very fun at all. #RCTID

100th anniversary of Providence Park? SKC at home? DOUBLE POST??? #RCTID

GOOOOOOOOOD MORNING PORTLAND IT IS A TIMBERS MATCHDAY IN THE ROSE CITY #RCTID