November 25, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Portland Timbers News Release
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – In the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals, the No. 4 seed Portland Timbers defeated the No. 1 seed Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Thursday afternoon. Larrys Mabiala tallied the game winner in the 90th minute to help send Portland to the Western Conference Final for the fourth time in club history.
Timbers in Playoffs
In 22 all-time MLS playoff matches, the Timbers are 10-6-6 overall with a record of 6-4-2 on the road. With the win, it marks the fourth time (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021) in seven postseasons the Timbers have advanced to the Western Conference Final. Head coach Giovanni Savarese has gone to the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the club and is the only head coach in Portland’s MLS era to record consecutive postseason appearances. Additionally, this will mark Savarese’s second Western Conference Final with the club. Mabiala recorded a goal in a second straight playoff match, tallying his first career game winner. The Timbers will face the winner of the Western Conference Semifinal match between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake on Nov. 28. If Real Salt Lake advances, Portland will host the Western Conference Final at Providence Park.
Success in 2021
Portland recorded its 19th win across all MLS competitions (regular season and playoffs) in 2021, surpassing the club’s 18 total wins during the 2015 and 2018 campaigns. The Timbers have scored the third-most goals across all MLS competitions this year (60), trailing only Sporting Kansas City (61) and the New England Revolution (65). Portland recorded its 10th clean sheet of the 2021 campaign across all MLS competitions, ranking fourth best in the club’s history. Mabiala is the 14th different player to record a goal for the Timbers in an MLS competition this year, and 12th to register two or more.
Goal-Scoring Plays
POR – Larrys Mabiala, 90th minute: Yimmi Chara served in a corner kick that took several deflections. Finding the ball and a window of space on the corner of the six-yard box, Larrys Mabiala fired a volley into the far-post side netting.
Notes
The Timbers hold a 10-6-6 record in MLS playoff matches, and 6-4-2 when playing on the road.
Portland has advanced to the Western Conference Final in four out of its seven postseason appearances (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).
Qualifying for playoffs in each of his four seasons with Portland, head coach Giovanni Savarese holds a playoff record of 5-3-2.
Savarese has taken the Timbers to the Western Conference Final in two of his four playoff runs (2018, 2021).
Portland registered its second shutout win in the club’s MLS-era postseason history.
The Timbers are 11-9-6 in MLS play, including playoffs, against the Rapids.
Thursday’s game marked the first playoff match between Portland and Colorado in the club’s MLS era.
The win marked Portland’s first against the Rapids since Sept. 8, 2018.
Mabiala scored for a second consecutive game, tallying his second goal of the year and his first career game winner.
Mabiala has two career playoff goals with both coming in 2021.
With 11 career goals for the Timbers (regular season, MLS is Back Tournament, and playoffs), Mabiala has the most goals of any defender in Portland’s MLS era.
The Timbers will face the winner of the Western Conference Semifinal match between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake on Nov. 28. If Real Salt Lake advances, Portland will host the Western Conference Final at Providence Park.
Next Game
With the win, Portland advanced to the Western Conference Final in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. Location and opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Western Conference Semifinal match between No. 2 Sporting Kansas City and No. 6 Real Salt Lake on Nov. 28.
Portland Timbers (No. 4 Seed) vs. Colorado Rapids (No. 1 Seed) – Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Semifinal
Nov. 25, 2021 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City, Colo.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Colorado Rapids 0 0 0
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
POR: Mabiala, 90
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Zuparic (caution), 45
POR: Asprilla (ejection), 90+4
POR: Mora (caution), 90+8
Lineups:
POR: GK Clark, D Van Rankin, D Mabiala, D Zuparic, D Bravo, M D. Chara ©, M Paredes (Fochive, 90+6), M Y. Chara (Loría, 90+5), M Blanco (Moreno, 52), F Asprilla, F Niezgoda (Mora, 66)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Ivacic, D McGraw, D Bonilla, D Tuiloma, M Valeri
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Y. Chara, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (four players tied, 1); FOULS: 10 (three players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 3
COL: GK Yarbrough, D Wilson, D Trusty, D Abubakar, M Rosenberry, M Kaye (Galvin, 83), M Price, M Acosta, M Bassett (Lewis, 75), M Rubio (Namli, 67), F Badji (Barrios, 75)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Irwin, D Moor, D Beitashour, M Warner, F Shinyashiki
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Badji, 2); FOULS: 8 (Kaye, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
Fourth Official: Alex Chilowicz
VAR: Alan Kelly
Attendance: 17,438
Weather: Sunny, 56 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
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