Portland Timbers Survive Penalty Drama to Force Decisive Game 3 Against San Diego FC

By Alonso Contreras

Providence Park, Portland, OR — The Portland Timbers kept their playoff dreams alive in dramatic fashion, outlasting San Diego FC 5–4 in a tense penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw in regulation. The victory forces a decisive third game in Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the series now heading back to San Diego for a winner-takes-all clash that will decide who advances to the Western Conference Semifinals.

The match had everything: momentum swings, late heroics, and nerve-wracking penalties that tested both teams’ composure.

⚽ First-Half Battle: Velde Shines, Pellegrino Responds

Portland drew first blood in the 18th minute when Kristoffer Velde opened the scoring with a crisp right-footed strike from the center of the box, capitalizing on a clever setup by Antony Alves Santos. The Timbers pressed high early, and Velde nearly added a second moments later when his shot hit the post.

San Diego, however, grew into the match. Their persistence paid off deep into first-half stoppage time (45’+12) when Amahl Pellegrino equalized with a thunderous finish into the top right corner after a well-worked move involving Corey Baird.

The sides went into halftime level at 1–1, with both defenses stretched and tempers flaring as the physicality of playoff soccer took center stage.

🔥 Second Half: Lozano Strikes, Guerra Saves Portland

San Diego took control early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano showcased his class with a clinical right-footed finish to put the visitors ahead 2–1. The Mexican international’s composure in front of goal looked set to send San Diego through.

But the Timbers refused to fold. Pushed forward by a roaring home crowd, they found a late equalizer in the 89th minute when Gage Guerra rose highest to head home Ariel Lassiter’s perfect cross, sending Providence Park into chaos and forcing the match to penalties.

🎯 Penalty Shootout Drama: From Misses to Magic

The shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions. Both sides traded early conversions and misses as nerves began to creep in:

• Felipe Mora, Kristoffer Velde, and Antony Alves Santos all converted for Portland.

• San Diego’s Hirving Lozano and Anders Dreyer responded, but costly misses from Onni Valakari, Marcus Ingvartsen, and Jeppe Tverskov doomed the visitors.

With the score tied 4–4, it came down to Antony Alves Santos — and the Brazilian delivered. His right-footed shot found the lower left corner, sealing a 5–4 shootout win for Portland and sparking wild celebrations.

🏆 Looking Ahead: Decider in San Diego

The result means Portland and San Diego will head back to Southern California for Game 3, a decisive clash that will determine who advances to the Conference Semifinals.

Portland, buoyed by the heroics of Velde, Guerra, and goalkeeper James Pantemis, will enter the finale with renewed belief. San Diego, meanwhile, will lament missed chances — both from open play and from the spot — but know they’ll have the advantage of home support in the deciding match.

Final Score:Portland Timbers 2 (5) – (4) 2 San Diego FC

Goals:

• Portland: Velde (18’), Guerra (89’)

• San Diego: Pellegrino (45’+12), Lozano (51’)

Penalties:Portland – Mora ✅, Paredes ❌, Fernández ❌, Velde ✅, Santos ✅San Diego – Dreyer ✅, Lozano ✅, Valakari ❌, Ingvartsen ❌, Tverskov ❌

Next stop: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego — where one of these two sides will punch their ticket to the Western Conference Semifinals.