In a rivalry filled with intensity, longevity, and classic games, the second leg of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC was one-of-a-kind. Late goals, extra-time heroics, and a penalty kick shootout all combined to make for an incredible 120 minutes of drama-filled soccer.
The Timbers advanced after winning the penalty kick shootout after the match ended 3-2 for Seattle and had the series nodded up at 4-4 on aggregate goals. Sebastián Blanco selected this match for this week's PTFC: From the Archives, presented by KeyBank. Tune in to FOX 12 Oregon KPTV or Timbers.com on May 10, 2020 at 2pm PT to see a special rebroadcast of match.
1+1 After entering the match as a 72nd-minute substitute, Dairon Asprilla scored, delivered an assist, and kicked home the series-winning penalty kick. Asprilla is one of six players in league history to have a goal and an assist as a substitute in an MLS playoff game.
2 Blanco scored for his second consecutive match having scored the game-winner in leg one in Portland, connecting on a shot from near the top of the penalty area in the second leg. Blanco is the only Timbers player in the club's history (1975-) to have scored multiple playoff goals against the Sounders.
3 The series victory marked the third time ever that the Timbers had knocked the Sounders out of the playoffs, along with the 1975 and 2013 seasons. It was the first time Portland had eliminated the Sounders from the postseason in Seattle.
7Diego Valeri notched the assist on Asprilla's extra-time goal when the Argentine midfielder delivered a pinpoint cross. It was the seventh career assist in the playoffs for Valeri, which is the most in club history and tied for 14th-most postseason assists in MLS history.
2X2 In the match, the Timbers became the second Western Conference team since MLS had instituted the two-conference format in 2003 to score two or more goals in each of their first three matches of a single postseason. The only other Western Conference team to accomplish this was the 2013 Timbers.
