News Summary
The Portland Timbers achieved a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Playoffs, advancing to face San Diego FC in the next round. Felipe Mora starred with two goals, while Kamal Miller added a third for Portland, which ended Real Salt Lake’s hope for playoff success. The win is a significant turnaround for the Timbers, who look to continue their momentum in the upcoming series.
Portland Advances in MLS Playoffs with 3-1 Victory Over Real Salt Lake
Portland, Oregon — The Portland Timbers secured a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference Wild Card Match of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday at Providence Park. The win marks a significant milestone for the Timbers, as they advance to the next round, facing top-seeded San Diego FC in a best-of-3 series.
Key Players and Goals
Leading the Timbers’ offensive effort was Felipe Mora, who scored two crucial goals to help his team clinch the victory. Mora, who had faced a goal drought since May, broke his scoring slump in this playoff match, providing a boost for Portland’s offense.
Mora’s first goal came in the 24th minute. He converted a rebound after a saved header from Kristoffer Velde’s free kick, giving the Timbers an early lead. His second goal in the 36th minute extended Portland’s advantage to 2-0, again capitalizing on a rebound.
Real Salt Lake managed to get on the scoreboard with a header from Justen Glad, who scored in the 39th minute, placing the ball into the top corner of the net. Despite RSL’s goal, Portland maintained control through robust defending and key saves from goalkeeper James Pantemis.
Kamal Miller added the Timbers’ third goal in the 82nd minute, heading in a precise cross from Ariel Lassiter, sealing the match with a 3-1 scoreline.
Significance of the Match
This victory marked only the second time in the past 11 matches that Portland has won, signaling a crucial turnaround ahead of their upcoming series. It also ended a playoff winless streak extending to eight matches for Real Salt Lake, which included three losses and five draws.
Portland entered the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, a position that placed them in the wild card round. Their win on Wednesday advances them to face San Diego FC in the first round of the playoffs. The series will be played in a best-of-three format, beginning in San Diego this coming Sunday. The second game will be held at Providence Park next Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 PM Pacific Time.
Ticketing and Broadcast Information
Single-game tickets for the Saturday match at Providence Park will go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 23, at 12 PM Pacific Time, through SeatGeek. Fans can also follow the series via live broadcasts available in multiple formats: all games will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in both English and Spanish, with local radio broadcasts accessible on 750 The Game in English and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM in Spanish.
Match Summary and Additional Details
The contest was characterized by intense moments and some controversial officiating. Notably, a handball in the first half by Real Salt Lake went uncalled, which remains a point of discussion among fans and analysts.
Throughout the match, James Pantemis made several vital saves, helping to preserve Portland’s lead and keep RSL from mounting a comeback. Mora’s performance was particularly notable, as his double goal effort spearheaded the team’s effort to secure advancement.
This playoff victory sets up a compelling matchup between Portland and San Diego FC, highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s MLS playoffs. The series promises to be highly engaging, with both teams vying for a chance to advance further in the tournament.
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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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