Portland Timbers x Real Salt Lake

Portland Timbers saw their 10-match unbeaten home streak come to a frustrating end on July 16, 2025, as Real Salt Lake pulled off a late smash-and-grab 1-0 win at Providence Park. It was a night where the Timbers controlled much of the play but were undone by a single moment of precision and a well-executed counter.

For most of the match, Portland looked the likelier of the two sides. They dictated tempo early, pushed numbers forward, and created waves of half-chances, but couldn't find the clinical edge. Real Salt Lake were content to sit back, absorb pressure, and wait for their opening—and when it came, they took it brilliantly.

The breakthrough arrived in the 83rd minute, completely flipping the narrative. Ariath Piol, who had only just come on, spotted a gap in Portland’s back line and threaded a perfect pass into the path of Diogo Gonçalves. The winger took one touch, kept his composure, and buried his shot low into the near post. Just like that, RSL snatched a lead against the run of play.

Portland tried to mount a response, throwing numbers forward and bombarding the box in the final minutes. But Salt Lake’s defense, organized and calm under pressure, held firm. The Timbers managed just a single shot on target all night despite 12 attempts, and the final whistle blew with the visitors celebrating and the home side left stunned.

For Portland, this was a missed opportunity to strengthen their position in the playoff race and prove their home form was no fluke. For RSL, it was a massive road win—gritty, timely, and built on patience and a moment of brilliance.

A dominant performance means nothing without goals, and on this night, it was Salt Lake who made their one real chance count. Portland will be left wondering how they let it slip.

[Photography by Hector Mendoza]