Alexander Aravena's dramatic goal lifts Timbers past Charlotte FC

Alexander Aravena scored on a match-ending header in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to give the Portland Timbers a much-needed 3-2 victory over visiting Charlotte FC on Saturday night.

The goal came on the final play as Portland ended a seven-match winless streak (0-4-3). Ariel Lassiter recorded a brace as the Timbers moved within three points of the final Western Conference playoff spot.

At the end, Ian Smith took a corner kick and sent a left-footed aerial in front of the box. Cole Bassett got his head on the ball and sent it toward the left portion of the net, and Aravena got his head on the ball at the goal line for the game-winning tally.

The Timbers (10-14-7, 37 points) are in 11th place in the West. The Los Angeles Galaxy (40 points) hold the ninth and final playoff spot and Real Salt Lake (39 points) sit in 10th place.

Idan Toklomati and Pep Biel scored goals for Charlotte FC (13-10-8, 47 points), which failed to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Charlotte FC would have wrapped up a berth with a tie but instead fell to 1-3-1 over their past five matches.

Portland outshot Charlotte 27-6 and had an 11-4 edge in shots on target.

Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made eight saves, while Portland's James Pantemis had two stops.

Portland had a big chance in the 87th minute but Kahlina stopped Ronald Hernandez's right-footed blast. David Da Costa got his right foot on the rebound, but Kahlina got up off the ground and was able to keep the ball from landing in the net.

Charlotte tied the score at 2-2 in the 69th minute when Luca de la Torre lifted a cross toward Toklomati near the net. Toklomati caught up to the ball and while airborne kicked it with his right foot into the top of the net.

The goal was Toklomati's ninth in his last 11 matches and extended his franchise record to 14 goals.

Charlotte scored in the third minute after a Portland turnover in the midfield.

Biel received the ball from Ashley Westwood and went down the left side. He cut in and unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box that found the left corner of the net.

Portland tied the score in the 11th minute as Eric Izoita sent a pass across the box to Lassiter, who knocked a left-footed shot into the net.

The Timbers took a 2-1 lead in the 40th minute as Lassiter tapped the ball between the legs of defender Henry Kessler and sent a left-footed shot into the net.

--Field Level Media