The Portland Timbers have only been in Major League Soccer since 2011. On Sunday, for the first time in that four-year span, they've punched a ticket to the MLS Cup. Portland drew FC Dallas 2-2 on Sunday in the Western Conference Championship's second leg, but thanks to the Timbers' 3-1 win last week, the team advanced 5-3 on aggregate. It was a crazy ending, but Portland hung on, getting a goal in the 95th minute to cement the result.
This goal in the 54th minute from Fanendo Adi saw the Timbers' lead stretch to 4-1 on aggregate.
Adi time. #RCTID #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/dGgEI2GJmd
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) November 29, 2015
It looked all but over after that goal, but Dallas got two goals quickly, coming in the 68th via Ryan Hollingshead and the 73rd from Blas Perez, leaving just under 20 minutes to find a third goal to send the match into extra time. But it was not meant to be.
Portland sat back with 10 men behind the ball as rain from the Dallas sky pounded the pitch.
Late chances, including in added time, made it feel as if a goal from Dallas was coming. Perez had a shot from point-blank ranged stopped by diving defender and "Game of Thrones" character look-a-like Nat Borchers in the dying moments.
Nat Borchers and Liam Ridgwell are Portland's defensive rocks. @JeffreyCarlisle: https://t.co/z4wHkIZXYR pic.twitter.com/48HiU06x9b
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 27, 2015
Then, it was Lucas Melano's finish on the counter that sealed it.
Lucas Melano goal: takes Portland to MLS Cup final in bizarre fashion https://t.co/aQM1sZg7ib
— sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) November 30, 2015
What a night for Portland. Now, just 90 minutes away from reaching the summit of North American soccer. The team awaits either the New York Red Bulls or the Columbus Crew.
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