Ariel Lassiter opened the scoring in the third minute, Kristoffer Velde added a goal, and the Portland Timbers beat Austin FC 2-0 on Saturday night to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Portland (13-14-7) is the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and plays second-seeded Dallas in the best-of-three first round of the playoffs, which begin Nov. 19.

James Pantemis had seven saves for the Timbers.

Lassiter, on the counter-attack, raced down the right sideline and then slipped a shot inside the back post to make it 1-0.

Velde made it 2-0 with a shot from 24 yards out in the 70th minute.

Brad Stuver had two saves for Austin (8-16-10).

This republished story is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit opb.org/partnerships.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/11/08/timbers-beat-austin-2-0-clinch-playoff-spot/