UPDATE: In a heart-wrenching finish, the Portland Timbers fell short of a crucial victory, settling for a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United FC on September 6, 2023. Just minutes away from their first win in over a month, the Timbers were left reeling after Minnesota equalized in the 85th minute.
The match, held at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, was a tense affair. For 79 minutes, both teams struggled to find the back of the net, with a series of missed opportunities. The breakthrough came when Timbers forward Antony applied pressure, forcing an own goal that put Portland ahead 1-0 in the 80th minute. This moment brought a glimmer of hope to the Timbers, who have faced a challenging stretch in the MLS.
However, the joy was short-lived as Minnesota’s Robin Lod struck back just five minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive slip and equalizing with a deft shot past Portland’s goalkeeper James Pantemis. This late score clinched a playoff spot for Minnesota, who now stand at 14-6-9 with 51 points in the Western Conference.
Despite the draw, the Timbers remain in sixth place with a record of 10-9-9 and 39 points, marking progress as they have now taken points from the top two teams in the West over consecutive road matches. Still, the result is a bitter pill to swallow for a team so close to a statement victory.
Throughout the match, both teams showcased impressive goaltending. Pantemis made five crucial saves, including two stunning stops early in the second half that kept the scoreline level. On the opposing side, Minnesota’s Michael Boxall successfully denied every shot until Antony’s deflected effort broke the deadlock.
Next up, the Timbers will have a week off to regroup before returning to Providence Park to face the New York Red Bulls on September 13, 2023. As they prepare for this pivotal matchup, the urgency for the Timbers to convert chances into victories has never been higher.
Fans and players alike will be eager to see if this draw can serve as a catalyst for improvement, as the pressure mounts in the MLS playoff race.
