Portland, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The Portland Timbers secured a crucial 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Playoffs, sending them to face San Diego FC in the next round. Felipe Mora starred with two goals, driving the team forward. The Timbers aim to regain momentum, having not advanced past the first round since 2021. With key matchups coming up, including a home game at Providence Park, excitement builds as fans look forward to purchasing tickets amidst the thrilling playoff atmosphere.
Portland – The Portland Timbers secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Wild Card Game on Wednesday at Providence Park. This win propelled the Timbers, who entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, into the next round, where they will face top-seeded San Diego FC in a Best-of-3 series.
The Timbers have not advanced past the first playoff round since 2021. With this latest victory, they hope to build momentum as they prepare for the upcoming series against San Diego FC. Game 1 of the series is set to take place on Sunday in San Diego, while Game 2 will occur at Providence Park on Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 PM PT. Tickets for the Portland match will go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 23, at 12 PM (PT) via SeatGeek.
Felipe Mora was the star of the match, scoring two goals—referred to as a playoff brace—which significantly contributed to the team’s success. His first goal came in the 24th minute when he converted a rebound off a saved header from a free kick taken by Kristoffer Velde. Mora struck again in the 36th minute, doubling the lead to 2-0 by taking advantage of another rebound.
Despite the Timbers’ strong performance, Real Salt Lake fought back, scoring their only goal in the 39th minute through Justen Glad, who netted a header into the top corner. However, that was not enough to catch up with the Timbers, who continued to play strong defense throughout the match.
Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, making several key saves that thwarted Real Salt Lake’s attempts to equalize. The Timbers secured their victory with a third goal in the 82nd minute, scored by Kamal Miller, who headed in a cross from Ariel Lassiter.
This match also holds significance as it marked only the second victory for the Timbers in their last 11 matches, offering a much-needed boost for the team. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake’s loss extended their winless playoff streak to eight matches, consisting of three losses and five draws.
The match featured some controversial officiating, including a missed handball call against Real Salt Lake in the first half, which added to the tension of the game. As the Timbers prepare for their next challenge, they will undoubtedly aim to capitalize on this victory and improve their chances advancing further in the playoffs.
Upcoming Series Details
- Opponent: San Diego FC
- Game 1: Sunday, October 29, 2023, in San Diego
- Game 2: Saturday, November 1, 2023, at Providence Park, 6:30 PM PT
- Broadcast: All games available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English & Spanish)
- Local Radio: 750 The Game (English), La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish)
Summary of Match Stats
| Stat | Portland Timbers | Real Salt Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 1 |
| Key Players (Goals) | Mora (2), Miller (1) | Glad (1) |
| Key Saves | Pantemis | N/A |
| Winning Streak | 1 (Second win in last 11 matches) | Winless in last 8 playoff matches |
FAQ
When and where will the next games be played?
Game 1 against San Diego FC will be on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in San Diego. Game 2 will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2023, at Providence Park at 6:30 PM PT.
How can I buy tickets for the Portland game?
Single-game tickets for the Game 2 at Providence Park go on sale to the public on Thursday, October 23, 2023, at 12 PM PT through SeatGeek.
Are the games going to be broadcasted?
Yes, all games will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in both English and Spanish. Local radio broadcasts will be available on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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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
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
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