The Portland Timbers advanced to the Western Conference Final of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs in a dramatic manner, defeating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Thursday in the first-ever MLS game on Thanksgiving Day, thanks to Larrys Mabiala's 90th-minute goal.

Portland overcame an injury to star midfielder Sebastian Blanco early in the second half before Mabiala scored his second postseason goal just before stoppage time to seal the Timbers' victory and set up a date with the winner of the Sporting Kansas City-Real Salt Lake matchup next weekend. After both Auston Trusty and Dominique Badji failed to convert open headers early on for the Rapids, the Timbers were fortunate to enter halftime with a 0-0 result.

The task became even more difficult for Portland when Blanco went down with an apparent hamstring injury just seven minutes into the second half; the Argentine midfielder departed the game gripping the back of his leg in obvious distress. Portland, on the other hand, responded strongly and came within inches of surprising the Western Conference's top seed in the 65th minute. Danny Wilson miraculously cleared a José Van Rankin shot off the line, much to the delight of Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who was beaten on the play.

The Timbers kept pressing forward, and their efforts paid off in the 90th minute when Mabiala pounced on a jumbled corner kick. The visitors advanced to the next round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs when the Congolese center back made it 1-0. Portland forward Dairon Asprilla was given a red card for violent conduct after a scuffle with Braian Galván in stoppage time, putting a damper on a great moment. Asprilla will miss the Western Conference Final.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Sean Faska]