David Da Costa<\/a> is off and running.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Portland Timbers<\/a>‘ new Designated Player No. 10 scored his first MLS goal on Saturday night, bending home a free kick to earn a 1-0 victory<\/a> over Austin FC<\/a> at Providence Park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n But here’s the<\/em> question: Was it a shot or a cross?<\/p>\n The Portuguese midfielder, acquired last month<\/a> from Ligue 1’s RC Lens for reportedly around $6 million, smiled when asked by local media.<\/p>\n “I’m very happy for my first goal,” Da Costa said through a translator. “When I shot it, I just wanted to put it in the exact spot that it landed, that area. Then it went in!”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MOOD ???? pic.twitter.com\/3uuPtdqBHS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) March 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Da Costa arrives in Portland to replace Evander<\/a>, the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist who was traded to FC Cincinnati<\/a> for a league-record fee ($12 million) earlier this winter.<\/p>\n While those are big shoes to fill, the 24-year-old has left a positive early impression.<\/p>\n “What we saw tonight was a DP No. 10 that I think is going to be special,” head coach Phil Neville said after his team’s first win of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n