News Summary
The Portland Timbers claimed a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, advancing to the next round against San Diego FC. Felipe Mora scored two crucial goals, and Kamal Miller added a third to seal the victory. This win marks Portland’s first playoff series advancement since 2021, providing a much-needed morale boost after recent struggles. The Timbers now focus on building momentum against San Diego in the upcoming best-of-3 series, searching for further success in their playoff journey.
Portland – The Portland Timbers secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Wild Card Game held at Providence Park on Wednesday night. This triumph marks a significant advancement for the Timbers, who entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and have now qualified for the Round One Best-of-3 Series against top-seeded San Diego FC.
Felipe Mora played a pivotal role in the match, netting two goals, which propelled the Timbers past Real Salt Lake. The win allows Portland to move forward in the playoffs, a notable achievement as it is their first series advancement since 2021. San Diego FC awaits in the next round, with Game 1 set to commence on Sunday in San Diego. Game 2 will take place at Providence Park on Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 PM PT. Tickets for the Portland match will become available on Thursday, October 23, at 12 PM (Pacific).
This postseason match was broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in both English and Spanish, with local radio coverage provided on 750 The Game and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM.
Prior to this playoff game, Felipe Mora had been struggling with a scoring drought, having last found the back of the net in May. However, he broke that streak in impressive fashion during this match. Mora’s first goal occurred in the 24th minute, as he capitalized on a rebound from a saved header stemming from a free kick taken by Kristoffer Velde. Just over ten minutes later, Mora struck again in the 36th minute, extending the lead to 2-0 with another well-placed rebound.
Real Salt Lake, facing their own playoff struggles, responded with a goal in the 39th minute. Justen Glad scored with a powerful header into the top corner, bringing the score to 2-1. However, the Timbers maintained their composure throughout the remainder of the match. Key save contributions from Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis were instrumental in preserving the lead and thwarting Real Salt Lake’s attempts to level the score.
Kamal Miller sealed the victory for Portland in the 82nd minute, scoring their third goal with a header after receiving a precise cross from Ariel Lassiter. This win was particularly uplifting for the Timbers, marking only their second victory in their last eleven matches.
Conversely, the loss extended Real Salt Lake’s ongoing playoff winless streak to eight matches, characterized by three losses and five draws. The match was not without controversy; there were notable officiating decisions, including a missed handball call against Real Salt Lake in the first half, which drew scrutiny from observers.
The Portland Timbers now look forward to their upcoming series against San Diego FC, seeking to build momentum after this crucial win. With their combination of tactical execution and individual brilliance, the Timbers aim to continue their playoff journey and bring home further victories.
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Additional Resources
- Portland Timbers Official Match Recap
- OregonLive: Mora Leads Timbers
- The Guardian: Timbers vs Real Salt Lake
- KSL Sports: Portland Advances
- Sports Illustrated: 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Predictions
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: Portland Timbers 2025 playoffs
- Google Scholar: Portland Timbers history
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Portland Timbers
- Google News: Portland Timbers
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