Portland Timbers Blank Austin FC, Clinch Playoff Spot
Portland's 2-0 win in Austin secures a place in the MLS Cup playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer
The Portland Timbers defeated Austin FC 2-0 on Saturday night in Austin, Texas, clinching a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. Ariel Lassiter scored in the third minute and Kristoffer Velde added a goal in the 70th minute.
Why it matters
The win secures Portland a place in the postseason after a 13-14-7 regular season, while Austin finished at 8-16-10. The result confirms Portland's position as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
The 2-0 scoreline came from goals in the third and 70th minutes, with Velde's strike coming from 24 yards out. Portland's 13-14-7 regular-season record and No. 7 seeding frame the result, though the series against Dallas remains ahead.
The players
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are a Major League Soccer club based in Portland, Oregon, competing in the Western Conference.
Austin FC
Austin FC is a Major League Soccer club based in Austin, Texas, which finished the regular season in the Western Conference standings.
Ariel Lassiter
Ariel Lassiter is a Portland Timbers forward who scored the opening goal in the third minute.
Kristoffer Velde
Kristoffer Velde is a Portland Timbers midfielder who scored from 24 yards out in the 70th minute.
The details
Lassiter raced down the right sideline on the counter-attack and slipped a shot inside the back post for the opener. James Pantemis made seven saves for Portland, while Brad Stuver made two for Austin.
Timeline
Saturday night (November 7, 2026): Portland defeats Austin FC 2-0 in Austin, Texas.
Nov. 19, 2026: MLS Cup playoffs begin.
Season Trajectory
Portland's 13-14-7 finish and No. 7 seed place the club among the Western Conference teams that reached the postseason despite a losing-leaning regular season. The result carries Portland into a best-of-three first-round series against second-seeded Dallas.
Portland's playoff qualification means its first-round matchup against Dallas is now on the calendar, with Game 1 at Dallas set to open the series. Fans and fantasy managers can track the series starting with the Nov. 19 opener.
The takeaway
Portland's 2-0 win in Austin shows the team can secure a result on the road when it matters most. The first-round series against Dallas will test whether that form carries into the postseason.
What happens next
The MLS Cup playoffs begin Nov. 19, when Portland visits Dallas for Game 1 of the best-of-three first round.
Further reading
Follow the club's full season coverage in our Soccer section.
