Portland, October 23, 2025
News Summary
In a pivotal match, the Portland Timbers secured a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference Wild Card Game, advancing to the next round of the MLS playoffs. Felipe Mora was the hero, scoring two goals, while Kamal Miller added another. The win, marking the Timbers’ first playoff series advancement since 2021, comes after a period of struggle, and sets them up for a challenging series against San Diego FC. The back-and-forth match highlighted both the Timbers’ resilience and Real Salt Lake’s ongoing playoff struggles.
Portland – The Portland Timbers secured a significant victory on Wednesday, defeating Real Salt Lake 3-1 in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Wild Card Game at Providence Park. With this win, the Timbers advance to a Round One Best-of-3 Series against the top-seeded San Diego FC, marking their first playoff series advancement since 2021.
Felipe Mora was the standout player of the match, scoring two goals that helped propel the Timbers to victory. The first of Mora’s goals came in the 24th minute, as he capitalized on a rebound from a saved header following a free kick taken by Kristoffer Velde. Four minutes later, Mora struck again in the 36th minute, extending the lead to 2-0 by once more taking advantage of a rebound.
Real Salt Lake managed to respond with a goal from Justen Glad in the 39th minute, who scored with a header into the top corner. However, the Timbers regained their two-goal cushion in the 82nd minute when Kamal Miller headed in a cross from Ariel Lassiter, solidifying the Timbers’ impressive win.
Goalkeeper James Pantemis was instrumental in preserving the Timbers’ lead, making multiple crucial saves throughout the match. The victory was particularly meaningful for the Timbers, given that it was only their second win in the last 11 matches, and ended a scoring drought for Mora, who last scored in May.
With this triumph, the Timbers, who entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, will face San Diego FC in a best-of-three series starting on Sunday in San Diego. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 PM PT at Providence Park. Single-game tickets for the home match will go on sale starting Thursday, October 23, at 12 PM (Pacific) through SeatGeek.
All games in the Round One series will be broadcast live on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in both English and Spanish, while local radio broadcasts will be available on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). The match also featured controversial officiating, including a missed handball call against Real Salt Lake during the first half.
Real Salt Lake’s defeat extends their winless playoff streak to eight matches, comprising three losses and five draws. The outcome not only highlights the resilience of the Timbers but also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Real Salt Lake in the playoffs.
Upcoming Matches
- Game 1: Timbers at San Diego FC – Sunday
- Game 2: San Diego FC at Timbers – Saturday, November 1, 6:30 PM PT
Broadcast Information
- Television: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English and Spanish)
- Radio: 750 The Game (English), La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish)
Match Summary
| Team | Goals |
|---|---|
| Portland Timbers | 3 |
| Real Salt Lake | 1 |
Key Player Stats
| Player | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Felipe Mora | 2 | 0 |
| Kamal Miller | 1 | 1 |
| Justen Glad (RSL) | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next match for the Portland Timbers?
The next match is on Sunday against San Diego FC.
How can I purchase tickets for Game 2?
Tickets for Game 2 will go on sale on Thursday, October 23, starting at 12 PM (Pacific) through SeatGeek.
Where can I watch the playoff matches?
All matches will be broadcast on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Voting Opens for MLS Save of the Year
Houston Soccer Team Draws with UCF in Competitive Match
Cincinnati Prepares for MLS Playoff Clash with Columbus Crew
MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Matches Confirmed
Portland Timbers Face San Diego FC in MLS Decision Day Showdown
MLS Decision Day Approaches with Playoff Implications
MLS Disciplinary Actions: Players Fined for Field Violations
MLS and adidas Launch United We Play Jersey to Celebrate Diversity
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 HOUSTON TX WRITER
The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
