Real Salt Lake ends Timbers’ season

SANDY, Utah — Jefferson Savarino scored in the 87th minute and Real Salt Lake beat the Portland Timbers 2-1 in the first round of the MLS playoffs Saturday night.

Real Salt Lake advanced to play at the Seattle Sounders in the conference semifinals Wednesday night.

Joao Plata’s cross along the top of the box was deflected by Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma but slipped through to Savarino who settled it at the top of the box and punched it home.

Damir Kreilach opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a header to finish Corey Baird’s diagonal cross.

Dairon Asprilla tied it at 1 for the Timbers in the 47th minute, heading Sebastián Blanco’s corner into the right corner.

Nick Rimando preserved the 1-all tie in the 66th minute with a diving save of Sebastián Blanco’s long-distance shot.

REAL SALT LAKE 2, TIMBERS 1

Portland 0 1—1

Real Salt Lake 1 1—2

First half—1, Real Salt Lake, Kreilach, 7 (Baird), 28th minute.

Second half—2, Portland, Asprilla, 3 (Blanco), 47th; 3, Real Salt Lake, Savarino, 9, 87th.

Goalies—Portland, Steve Clark, Aljaz Ivacic; Real Salt Lake, Nick Rimando, Andrew Putna.

Yellow Cards—Blanco, Portland, 39th; Savarino, Real Salt Lake, 44th; Beckerman, Real Salt Lake, 57th.

Referee—Ismail Elfath. Assistant Referees—Corey Parker, Kyle Atkins, Dave Gantar. 4th Official—Ramy Touchan.

A—17,452.

Lineups

Portland—Steve Clark; Larrys Mabiala, Jorge Moreira, Bill Tuiloma, Jorge Villafana (Claude Dielna, 90th+3); Sebastian Blanco, Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Dairon Asprilla, Jeremy Ebobisse (Diego Valeri, 63rd), Andy Polo (Marvin Loria, 89th).

Real Salt Lake—Nick Rimando; Aaron Herrera, Nedum Onuoha, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia; Kyle Beckerman, Damir Kreilach (Sam Johnson, 77th), Everton Luiz, Albert Rusnak (Kelyn Rowe, 89th), Jefferson Savarino; Corey Baird (Joao Plata, 77th).