Sports
Aravena’s stoppage-time goal lifts Portland past Charlotte, 3-2
Alexander Aravena scored six minutes into stoppage time to complete Portland’s comeback after Ariel Lassiter put the Timbers ahead twice. The win denied Charlotte FC a chance to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
Alexander Aravena scored in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time Saturday night, giving the Portland Timbers a 3-2 win over Charlotte FC after the visitors had twice taken the lead at Providence Park.
The late goal, Aravena’s first in 19 MLS appearances, came off assists from Cole Bassett and Ian Smith. Portland entered the match 11th in the Western Conference and improved to 10-14-7. Charlotte, now 13-10-8, missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte struck first in the third minute when Pep Biel scored off an Ashley Westwood assist. Ariel Lassiter equalized for Portland in the 11th minute, then put the Timbers ahead 2-1 in the 40th. Eric Izoita assisted on both goals. Lassiter’s brace brought his season total to a career-best seven.
Idan Toklomati tied the match at 2-2 in the 69th minute, finishing a play set up by Biel and Luca de la Torre. It was Toklomati’s 13th goal of the season, one more than he scored as a rookie last year.
Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis made two saves. Charlotte’s Kristijan Kahlina stopped eight shots.
The teams had met once before, with Charlotte winning 2-0 at home in 2024. Portland next visits St. Louis City on Wednesday, while Charlotte hosts CF Montreal.