Vincent Janssen makes Portland Timbers history with hat-trick

Vincent Janssen opened his Major League Soccer account in emphatic fashion, scoring three times in Portland Timbers’ 5-4 victory over Minnesota United. The 32-year-old former Netherlands international was the decisive figure in a match featuring nine goals.

Janssen’s treble also secured a place in Portland’s record books. According to De Telegraaf, no Timbers player had previously scored a hat-trick for the club. Portland marked the achievement on its social-media channels after the match.

The striker said he had quickly been informed of the significance of his performance. “Hopefully there is more good to come,” Janssen told De Telegraaf after expressing his happiness at becoming the first Portland player to reach the milestone.

Janssen joined the Oregon club on a free transfer from Royal Antwerp this summer and signed a two-year contract. He had spent four years with the Belgian side, having previously represented Almere City, AZ Alkmaar, Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahçe and Monterrey. At international level, Janssen scored seven goals in 22 appearances for the Netherlands.