PORTLAND (AP) — Felipe Mora scored two goals in the first half.defenseman Kamal Miller added another point in the 82nd minute and the Portland Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 in the wild-card game on Wednesday night.
Portland advanced to the first round of the playoff series to face Western Conference regular season champion San Diego in a best-of-three series.
Mora scored the opening goal in the 24th minute. RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral initially saved his header from the free kick, but the rebound was first fired into the top corner by Mora.
It was Mora’s first goal in MLS play since May 3 against San Jose, ending a 23-game scoreless streak.
Mora also got a rebound in the 35th to make it 2-0. Cabral denied a header from close range, but Mora pounced on the rebound.
In the 39th minute, Justen Glad headed in Diogo Goncalves’ cross to score his first goal of the postseason, reducing RSL’s lead to 2-1.
Miller scored the only goal of the second half, finishing off the scoring with a wide-open header at the back post.
The Timbers scored three goals in a playoff game, tying a club record for the fifth time.
RSL made the playoffs for a conference-high five consecutive seasons.
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