Timbers Fall 2-1 in Regular-Season Home Finale to LAFC

October 2, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers rallied from a deficit early in the second half with an 81st-minute goal from Dairon Asprilla, but LAFC scored in the 94th minute to register a 2-1 victory at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Asprilla’s goal was his ninth of the 2022 campaign. Portland will enter Decision Day against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 9 with an opportunity to secure a playoff berth by earning a draw or a win.

Playoff Position

The Timbers (11-9-13, 46pts) will enter the Decision Day with the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth by earning a draw or a win on the road against Real Salt Lake. Portland currently occupies the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings with a one-point lead over Minnesota United FC (45 points) in seventh place and two points clear of RSL in eighth place overall with 44 points and Vancouver Whitecaps FC sitting in ninth place overall with 43 points.

Stat File

With his goal, Asprilla is tied for the team lead in goals (9) this season with Jaroslaw Niezgoda. He has tallied at least nine goals with Portland in each of the last two campaigns after finishing the 2021 season with 10 goals. Asprilla has contributed four goals and one assist in his last four home matches for the Timbers. Claudio Bravo added his second assist of the season, setting up Asprilla’s goal. Bill Tuiloma registered his third assist of 2022. Tuiloma has recorded an assist in consecutive matches. With two assists, Bravo is the 11th player to register multiple assists for Portland this season.

Goal-Scoring Plays

LAFC – Carlos Vela (Kellyn Acosta), 51st minute: Carlos Vela received the ball near the edge of the box on the right side and sent a curling strike inside the left post.

POR – Dairon Asprilla (Claudio Bravo, Bill Tuiloma), 81st minute: Claudio Bravo whipped in a cross from the left side to the center of the box for Dairon Asprilla, who delivered a header from the edge of the six-yard box into the back of the net.

LAFC – Dénis Bouanga, 90+4: Dénis Bouanga received the ball at the top of the box and dribbled down the left side of the box before sliding a low shot from close range just over the goal line.

Notes

Portland can clinch a playoff spot with a draw or win on the road against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 9.

Dairon Asprilla recorded his ninth goal of the season, which is tied for the team lead in 2022 with Jaroslaw Niezgoda.

Asprilla has contributed four goals and…