The Portland Timbers beat Real Salt Lake 3-2 on Saturday night at Providence Park, thanks to a pair of first-half goals from Dairon Asprilla and Yimmi Chara, as well as a second-half insurance goal from Felipe Mora. RSL's Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach each scored to give the visitors a chance to win, but Mora's twisting finish just before the hour mark proved to be the game-winner.

Portland scored twice in the first half-hour, the first from a penalty kick converted by Asprilla in the 10th minute. Following Video Review, referee Rosendo Mendoza decided that RSL defender Toni Datkovic had committed a handball in his own area, and the spot-kick was given. Just before the 30-minute mark, Yimmi Chara increased the advantage, capping off a beautiful move with a curling shot off a backheel set-up from Asprilla.

Before halftime, RSL equalized thanks to a precise finish from Rusnak. With a low pass that he hammered home to the near post, the Slovakian midfielder beat Timbers goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic and pulled the visitors within 2-1 at halftime.

However, Portland added a third goal in the 62nd minute, when Mora scored a stunning goal. Sebastian Blanco, a second-half substitution, provided the spark, delivering a pass over the top that found Mora completely unmarked in front of goal. With one touch, the Chilean striker brought it down, spun it around, and blasted to the far post to restore the two-goal lead.

Just as the Timbers appeared to be settling into cruise control, Kreilach drew RSL back within one goal. The newly crowned MLS All-Star continued his outstanding season by scoring his eighth goal of the season in the 80th minute, setting up a tense finale. Despite further late pressure, which saw Ivacic come up with another highlight-reel rejection of Rusnak, RSL was unable to produce an equalizer.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Scott Boldt]