MLS
Providence Park was electric Wednesday night as the Portland Timbers flexed their playoff muscle, taking down Real Salt Lake 3-1 in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Wild Card game. Felipe Mora was the star of the show, scoring a first-half brace, while Kamal Miller added a late header to seal the deal. Portland now gears up for a Round One Best-of-3 showdown against the top-seeded San Diego FC.
The Timbers didn’t waste any time asserting themselves. In the 24th minute, Mora capitalized on a rebound after his initial header was saved, slotting a low right-footed shot past RSL keeper Cabral. Eleven minutes later, he was at it again, this time converting a far-post rebound from another header. By halftime, Portland had staked a 2-0 lead, with Mora’s playoff brilliance on full display.
RSL wasn’t going quietly, though. Diogo Gonçalves sent in a precise cross in the 39th minute, and Justin Glad got just enough on it to flick the ball past Pantemis and make it 2-1. But any thoughts of a comeback were tempered by the efficiency and composure of the Timbers, who controlled the pace and limited RSL’s attacking chances despite being outshot 23-11.
The first half was all about Portland’s sharpness in the final third. Mora’s finishing was clinical, but the real story was how the Timbers neutralized RSL’s high-pressure approach. Diego Chara marshaled the midfield like a veteran general in his 23rd postseason start, breaking up plays and distributing under pressure. RSL’s best efforts were scattered, with multiple fouls and cautions slowing down the tempo, but they never really got the fluidity needed to threaten Portland consistently.
The second half saw RSL pushing numbers forward, chasing the game, but Portland weathered the storm. Ariel Lassiter and Kamal Miller combined in the 82nd minute for what felt like the dagger: a perfectly weighted in-swinging cross found Miller unmarked at the far post, and he headed home his first-ever postseason goal. From that point, RSL’s energy deflated, and the Timbers coasted to the finish line.
Felipe Mora: Five goals in 2025 playoffs? Not quite—this was his first multi-goal postseason match—but Mora’s impact can’t be overstated. His 52 goals in 157 appearances for Portland aren’t just numbers; they’re timing, composure, and playoff poise rolled into one. Against RSL, he was the difference-maker, turning second chances into first-half fireworks.
Diego Chara: The midfield maestro started his 23rd postseason match for Portland, the most in club history. His ability to read the game, break up RSL’s attacks, and dictate tempo remains unmatched—still fourth in active MLS postseason starts among field players, and every bit the heartbeat of this team.
Kamal Miller: The late-game hero. He may not have had the flashiest season, but Miller’s 82nd-minute header—set up beautifully by Lassiter—ensured the Timbers would leave Providence Park with the win. That goal could be a confidence-booster as Portland heads into a daunting series against San Diego.
While Mora’s early brace set the tone, the defining moment came with Miller’s goal. By the 80th minute, RSL had clawed their way back into contention mentally, but the unmarked header at the far post was a statement: Portland wasn’t just surviving—they were asserting themselves. If Mora’s brace opened the game, Miller’s finish closed it, underscoring Portland’s composure under playoff pressure.
This victory marks Portland’s first playoff win since 2021 and their 12th in MLS Cup Playoff history. They’ve now won the opening match of a postseason campaign four times: 2013, 2018, 2021, and now 2025. With nine postseason appearances and three MLS Cup final runs (2015, 2018, 2021), Portland’s identity in the playoffs remains clear—they can rise when it counts.
Mora’s seven goals against RSL make him the active Timber with the most success against this particular opponent, further cementing his legacy. And Chara’s longevity and leadership continue to be a cornerstone—Portland’s engine is as reliable as ever.
Portland now turns its focus to San Diego FC, the No. 1 seed, in a Round One Best-of-3 series. The first game kicks off Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium, followed by Game 2 at Providence Park on Nov. 1. As the lower seed, Portland will have to steal a road win to tilt the series in their favor, but the confidence from this performance—especially Mora’s finishing touch and Miller’s poise—gives the Timbers a credible path forward.
Portland reminded everyone that playoff soccer is a different animal, where timing, precision, and mental fortitude matter more than raw stats. Mora’s brilliance, Chara’s control, and Miller’s late strike combined for a performance that felt both calculated and exhilarating. Providence Park was loud, the Timbers were clinical, and RSL simply couldn’t match the urgency when it mattered most.
As Portland heads into the Round One showdown against San Diego, one thing is clear: the Timbers aren’t just participants—they’re ready to remind the league why their playoff history matters. And if Mora keeps scoring like this, the West might just be Mora’s to claim.
A better brand, built by Vaughn & Co. ©
