Timbers Secure Three Points on the Road with 2-1 Win against Austin FC

September 1, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

AUSTIN, Tex. – The Portland Timbers (9-8-12, 39 pts) secured three points on the road with a 2-1 result against Austin FC (15-7-6, 51 pts) at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday night. Bill Tuiloma scored the early go-ahead goal for Portland while Zac McGraw notched the game winner and his first MLS goal in the second half.

On the Scoresheet

Opening the scoring for Portland, Tuiloma registered his sixth goal of the season. Notably, Tuiloma has scored headed goals in both matches against Austin this campaign. It marked Tuiloma’s fifth headed goal in 2022, which is second-most in MLS, just behind Brandon Vázquez (6). McGraw recorded his first MLS goal in the match, tallying the game winner and becoming the 12th player to tally a goal for Portland this season. Eryk Williamson notched his eighth assist of the 2022 campaign, getting on the scoresheet in back-to-back matches.

Final Stretch

The Timbers have five matches left in the 2022 campaign and sit in seventh place, just above the playoff line. With 39 points in the standings, the Timbers are only five points behind third place Minnesota United FC and only three points behind fifth and sixth place Nashville SC and Real Salt Lake. Portland will play its next two matches at home, hosting Atlanta United FC on Sept. 4 and Minnesota on Sept. 10. The team will then travel to face Eastern Conference opponent Columbus Crew SC on Sept. 18, followed by their final home match of the regular season on Oct. 2 against LAFC. Closing out the 2022 campaign, Portland will travel to face Salt Lake on Oct. 9. Notably, all three of their remaining Western Conference opponents (LAFC-57 pts, Minnesota-44 pts, RSL-42 pts) are above the Timbers in the current standings.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR: Bill Tuiloma (Eryk Williamson), 16th minute: From just outside of the 18-yard box, Williamson curled a free kick toward the far post for Bill Tuiloma, who headed it down and into the corner of the net.

POR: Zac McGraw, 73rd minute: Williamson dribbled into the box from the left wing and fired a low shot toward the far post. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made a diving save, but Zac McGraw pounced on the loose ball in front of an open net and put it away.

ATX: Sebastián Driussi (Alexander Ring, Felipe Martins), 79th minute: After receiving the ball from Alexander Ring inside the box, Felipe Martins turned and lofted the ball toward the penalty spot for Sebastián Driussi,…