MLS
Chicago Fire FCOpens in new window
Portland TimbersOpens in new window
Tah Ange Innocent D'Avilla DjeOpens in new window

D’Avilla shines early to help Fire spoil debut of Timbers coach Cifuentes in victory

Published: 

BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 13: Puso Dithejane #12 of the Chicago Fire FC celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with teammates Robin Lod #17 , and Andrew Gutman #15 during the second half of the Leagues Cup Phase One match between Chicago Fire FC and CF Cruz Azul at SeatGeek Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (AP) — Dje D’Avilla had a goal and an assist in the first 14 minutes and the Chicago Fire spoiled the debut of Portland Timbers coach Martí Cifuentes with a 2-1 victory on Sunday night.

D’Avilla picked up his second assist on a goal by Robin Lod in the 9th minute and then scored for the first time this season five minutes later to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.

Defender Andrew Gutman also had an assist — his fourth — on Lod’s fourth netter. Maren Haile-Selassie notched his seventh assist on D’Avilla’s goal — one off his career high.

Defender Finn Surman used his head in the 85th minute to score his first career goal in 51 appearances and cut it 2-1. Defender Brandon Bye earned his third assist this season and Ariel Lassiter, a second-half substitute, was credited with his fourth.

Chris Brady totaled one save for Chicago (10-6-2).

James Pantemis stopped two shots for Portland (7-9-3), which made it’s first trip to the Windy City in eight years. Neither keeper had a save in the first half.

The Fire moved into third place in the Eastern Conference with the victory.

Cifuentes is the Timbers’ fifth head coach.

Up next

Timbers: Host San Diego FC on Wednesday.

Fire: At Orlando City on Wednesday.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

The Associated Press