MLS
Lassiter scores in 3rd minute, Timbers beat Austin 2-0, clinch playoff spot
- 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.
AUSTIN, Texas -- 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 a shot from 24 yards out in the 70th minute.
Brad Stuver had two saves for Austin (8-16-10).
Up next Portland: Visits Dallas for Game 1.
Austin: Season complete.