In a night filled with frustration and missed opportunities, the Portland Timbers fell 1-0 to Austin FC at Providence Park, snapping their impressive 12-game unbeaten streak at home. Despite the Timbers' dominance, outshooting Austin 26-7 and controlling the majority of the match, it was Austin’s Daniel Pereira who made the difference, scoring the game's only goal in the 42nd minute.
Pereira's left-footed shot, deflecting off a Portland defender, looped into the net, leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau with no chance. It was a rare defensive lapse from Portland in a game where they largely kept Austin at bay, limiting them to just a single shot on target.
The loss could not have come at a worse time for Portland, who are battling to secure their spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Currently sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference with 45 points, the Timbers can still clinch a playoff berth with just one point from their final two games or if Austin, who trail by six points, fail to win both of their remaining matches.
With only two matches left in the regular season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Portland's next challenge will be their regular-season home finale against FC Dallas, a team also fighting for a playoff spot. Dallas, currently 11th in the standings, trails Portland by eight points, and a victory on Sunday could secure Portland's postseason aspirations before their final match away against the Seattle Sounders on MLS Decision Day.
For the Timbers, the loss was especially painful given their control of the game. Star midfielder Evander led the team with eight shots and created five key chances, but Portland simply couldn't find the back of the net. The Timbers’ inability to convert their chances marked the first time this season they were shut out at home, despite peppering Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver with ten shots on target.
This defeat also ends the Timbers’ remarkable unbeaten run at Providence Park, which stretched back to May. The atmosphere in the stadium, with a packed crowd of 22,461 fans, was electric, but their cheers turned to groans as the final whistle blew and Portland walked off with nothing to show for their efforts.
Portland must now regroup and prepare for their critical match against FC Dallas on Sunday, October 6. As the Timbers fight to keep their playoff hopes alive, the team knows that a single point from either of their two remaining games could be enough to secure a postseason berth. With a home crowd behind them for one last time this season, there’s hope the Timbers can bounce back and deliver the result they need.
After Sunday, the team will head into the FIFA international break, returning for one final showdown against their rivals, the Seattle Sounders, on October 19 for MLS Decision Day. This fierce rivalry game could very well determine whether the Timbers’ season continues into the playoffs or ends in disappointment.
Despite the setback, Portland is still in control of its playoff destiny, and fans will be hoping for a turnaround as they chase a spot in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
