# Aravena’s stoppage-time header lifts Portland Timbers past Charlotte 3-2

Alexander Aravena scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Ariel Lassiter’s brace, ending Portland’s seven-match winless run and keeping its playoff hopes alive.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / Soccer
Published: 2026-10-25T16:20:00Z
Updated: 2026-10-25T16:20:00Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/timbers-aravena-stoppage-time-win-charlotte-e2eauo
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/d8367a4ff733ae0c537a86c20b925517.webp (Portland Timbers players celebrate their 3-2 win over Charlotte FC in an official match graphic showing the final score.; credit: Portland Timbers / Major League Soccer)

## Summary
- Portland beat Charlotte 3-2 at Providence Park on Oct. 24 on Alexander Aravena’s 90+6-minute header.
- Ariel Lassiter scored twice for the Timbers, who snapped a seven-match winless streak.
- Portland remained 11th in the Western Conference with 37 points and three regular-season matches left.

## Aravena wins it at the end

Alexander Aravena headed in a corner during the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to give the Portland Timbers a 3-2 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Providence Park. The late goal followed a 2-2 equalizer by Charlotte in the 69th minute and came on the final play, according to the Associated Press. Portland’s official recap said Ian Smith delivered the corner, Cole Bassett redirected it with a header and Aravena finished near the goal line. [1](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) [2](https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/25/alexander-aravena-ariel-lassiter-rally-timbers-3-2-victory-over-charlotte/)

Charlotte took the lead in the third minute when Pep Biel scored from outside the penalty area after Ashley Westwood’s pass. Portland answered in the 11th minute, when Ariel Lassiter finished a cutback from Eric Izoita, and Lassiter put the Timbers ahead 2-1 in the 40th minute after a give-and-go with Izoita. The Timbers’ account credited Izoita with an assist on both goals. [1](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) [2](https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/25/alexander-aravena-ariel-lassiter-rally-timbers-3-2-victory-over-charlotte/)

Idan Toklomati tied it for Charlotte in the 69th minute, finishing a cross from Luca de la Torre; Biel also assisted, the team recap said. Aravena’s decisive header was his second goal of the season, while Lassiter’s two goals brought his total to a career-best seven for the campaign, according to Portland. [1](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) [2](https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/25/alexander-aravena-ariel-lassiter-rally-timbers-3-2-victory-over-charlotte/)

## Playoff race remains tight

The win ended Portland’s seven-match winless streak and moved the Timbers to 10-14-7 and 37 points, while they remained 11th in the Western Conference, according to the club and Field Level Media. The Los Angeles Galaxy held the ninth and final playoff place with 40 points, three ahead of Portland; Real Salt Lake was 10th with 39, Field Level reported. Portland had three regular-season games remaining after the victory. [1](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) [3](https://fieldlevelmedia.com/mls/alexander-aravenas-dramatic-goal-lifts-timbers-past-charlotte-fc/)

Charlotte entered the match needing a result to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff place, but the loss left that qualification unfinished, the Associated Press reported. Portland’s remaining schedule began with a road game at St. Louis City on Oct. 28, followed by a home match against Houston on Nov. 1 and a season finale at Austin on Nov. 7, according to the Timbers. The result gave Portland a late-season lift, but it did not move the club into a playoff position. [1](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) [2](https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/25/alexander-aravena-ariel-lassiter-rally-timbers-3-2-victory-over-charlotte/)

## Reporting sources
1. [Portland Timbers: RECAP | Portland Timbers earn dramatic 3-2 victory over Charlotte FC](https://www.timbers.com/news/recap-portland-timbers-with-dramatic-3-2-victory-over-charlotte-fc) (2026-10-24)
2. [The Associated Press / KPTV: Alexander Aravena, Ariel Lassiter rally Timbers to 3-2 victory over Charlotte](https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/25/alexander-aravena-ariel-lassiter-rally-timbers-3-2-victory-over-charlotte/) (2026-10-24)
3. [Field Level Media: Alexander Aravena’s dramatic goal lifts Timbers past Charlotte FC](https://fieldlevelmedia.com/mls/alexander-aravenas-dramatic-goal-lifts-timbers-past-charlotte-fc/) (2026-10-25)