With a penalty kick by Kevin Kelsey in the 94th minute, the Portland Timbers came from behind to win 3-2 over Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Sports Complex and reach the Round of 16 of the 2025 US Open Cup.
The result was followed by the arrival of young stars, a return on the scoreboard, and a finish from a script. The Timbers now await the winner of San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sacramento Republic to know whom they will face on May 20 or 21.
Unpredictable match from start to finish
The Timbers went into halftime up 1–0 following a 34th-minute header by Zac McGraw, assisted by a set piece initiated by Ariel Lassiter, who recorded his first assist with the club. But the second half was not so easy.
Tacoma leveled just a few minutes in with Osaze De Rosario's goal from a good team play by Minoungou. Tsukanome then flipped the game on its head shortly thereafter with yet another well-played team move. In under 20 minutes, the MLS NEXT team had completely flipped the script.
Portland's reply came off the bench. In his first outing with the team, Gage Guerra closed out a pass from Ian Smith and leveled the match in the 81st minute with control and accuracy inside the box.
It was Guerra's first goal as a professional and also the first goal contribution by Smith in the professional leagues. A play that began from the left and ended with two debutants making their mark into a winning game. From that moment on, the pace picked up.
Stoppage-time penalty settles the match
The clock read 94' when the referee gave the spot. Kelsey came forward, made eye contact with the keeper, and calmly put it into the left corner as the Defiance goalie dove in the opposite direction.
It was Kelsey's fifth goal of the season, and by far his most important to date. The Portland Timbers sealed, in the dying breath, a win that had appeared slipping from their grasp.
Stats in favor of the qualification
Portland has presently 21 victories, 17 defeats, and no draws out of 38 US Open Cup matches since the year 2004. As a visitor, they have played 11 and lost 9. In MLS era for the team, their record stands at 14 and 10 wins and losses, respectively.
The team has made it to the quarterfinals four times (2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019) and the semifinals twice (2013 and 2019). The win over Tacoma maintains their chance open to match or even surpass those stretches.