Cole Bassett delivered the final twist at Providence Park, heading home in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to secure Portland Timbers a 3–2 victory over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer on Saturday, October 24.
Ariel Lassiter’s goals in the 11th and 40th minutes had overturned Pep Biel’s third-minute opener, only for Idan Toklomati to draw Charlotte level in the 69th. With a draw within reach for the visitors, Bassett’s 90+6th-minute header settled a five-goal contest in Portland’s favor.
Lassiter turns the first half around
Charlotte made the sharper start on the scoreboard, with Biel putting the visitors ahead after just three minutes. Their advantage lasted only eight minutes, however, as Lassiter struck in the 11th minute to bring Portland level.
Lassiter then completed his brace in the 40th minute, giving the Timbers a 2–1 lead to take into the interval. His two goals transformed an early setback into a promising position for the hosts.
Charlotte respond before Bassett’s late intervention
Portland’s halftime advantage did not prove decisive. Toklomati struck in the 69th minute to make it 2–2, restoring parity and putting Charlotte back on course for an away point.
The Timbers’ attacking numbers showed why the visitors still had plenty of work to do. Portland finished with 26 shots to Charlotte’s six, including a 12–3 advantage in efforts on target. The hosts also held 55.8 percent possession and earned nine corners to Charlotte’s three.
Those figures alone could not guarantee a winner, and a draw remained a legitimate outcome deep into added time. Then Bassett supplied the decisive header in the 96th minute, turning a potential point apiece into all three for Portland.
Persistence rewarded at Providence Park
Lassiter’s first-half double laid the foundation, but Bassett provided the defining moment. Charlotte had twice put themselves in a strong position—first through an early lead, then through a second-half equalizer—yet could not see out the closing minutes.
Both clubs return to MLS action on Wednesday, October 28. Portland face St. Louis CITY SC at 5:30 p.m. PDT, while Charlotte take on CF Montréal at 4:30 p.m. PDT.
