Phil Neville begins to win over hostile Portland Timbers fans over on MLS return
Phil Neville ’s Portland Timbers secured a crushing victory over the Colorado Rapids to open the 2024 MLS season.
On Saturday at Providence Park, the Timbers blew away the Rapids and took a four-goal lead at halftime en route to a 4-1 victory. Portland opened the scoring early when Eryk Williamson struck inside 10 minutes before Antony added two.
On the stroke of halftime, Colorado's Sam Vines added to the tally with an own goal. Calvin Harris scored to pull one back for the Rapids, but Neville’s Timbers ultimately cruised to victory.
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The win is Neville’s first victory since getting dismissed by Inter Miami a month before the Herons secured the signing of Lionel Messi. Neville was let go by Inter Miami after starting the 2023 season with 10 defeats from their first 15 games, and his hire was met with bemusement from Portland fans.
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The Timbers Army Steering Committee released a statement that referenced sexist comments posted by Neville on his social media in 2012. The statement read: “The Portland Timbers are currently rebuilding a team on the pitch in addition to their ongoing efforts to rebuild trust with their fans and the community. We are deeply disappointed that the club has reportedly settled on a finalist for head coach who has a history of sexist public statements that run counter to our ethos as a club, city and supporters' group, and who also lacks a proven track record as a manager.
“We urge the Timbers to reconsider this hire and reevaluate other candidates before finalizing a contract.”
Phil Neville was dismissed by Inter Miami before the signing of Lionel Messi last summer (Getty Images)However, protests by club supporters fell on deaf ears as Portland moved to secure the Englishman having let go of Giovanni Savarese in the middle of last season. But the 46-year-old, who won 35 of 90 games in charge of Inter Miami, is ready to get to grips with the Timbers as they chase a first MLS title since 2015.
Neville was announced as the Timbers' new head coach back in November after signing a multi-year contract through the 2026 season. He insisted Portland reminded him of his hometown of Manchester.
Before missing the playoffs in the last two seasons, Portland had made the postseason for five successive years including MLS Cup appearances in 2018 and 2021. The Timbers also won their first and only MLS title in 2015.
Neville and the Timbers will head east for their next two games to face DC United on 2nd March and New York City FC a week later on 9th March.
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