Felipe Moura duo leads Timbers to RSL and into next round of MLS playoffs | Multilateral
Felipe Moura’s first-half brace snapped an extended drought and helped the Portland Timbers to a 3-1 victory over visiting Real Salt Lake in a Western Conference wild-card game on Wednesday night.
Kamal Miller’s late header gave eighth-seeded Portland some insurance, as the Timbers wrapped up a first-round meeting with No. 1 Western Conference team San Diego FC. The best-of-three series begins Sunday in Southern California.
James Pantemis saved six shots to preserve the win, just Portland’s second goal in the last 11 games.
Justin Glad’s header late in the first half gave RSL a lifeline. However, Salt Lake saw a winless playoff streak spanning eight games (three losses, five ties) after sneaking into ninth and final place in the West by results on the final day of the regular season.
Moura has not scored in his last 23 regular season games, or his previous 12 in all competitions, to provide his best performance in a Timbers jersey.
His first goal came after a series that could have turned into a red card for Salt Lake.
In the end, referee Guido Gonzalez Jr. showed restraint in allowing RSL’s Noel Caliskan to remain in the game rather than issuing the player a second yellow card in as many minutes for Caliskan’s late tackle on Diego Charara.
Moura was first to take the ensuing free kick from the right side. While Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral saved the first attempt, the rebound fell kindly for the striker to shoot home in the 24th minute.
Moura’s second goal came from a similar sequence 11 minutes later. This time Christopher Velde sent the ball in swinging from the right, but Moura again followed up with a rebound from a header that was saved with a steady touch.
Saeed responded four minutes later from a Diogo Goncalves cross to give Salt Lake some momentum heading into halftime.
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After the break, the visitors were the better team. William Agada’s stunning bicycle kick in the 73rd minute hit the crossbar. A minute later, Brian Vera thought he had equalized the score with an exceptional free kick that crept inside the left post, but it was ruled out due to Ruan Cruz’s illegal tackle on Portland’s defensive wall.
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Miller settled the result in the 82nd minute when he sneaked to the back post without any supervision to head home a smart diagonal ball from substitute Ariel Lassiter.