Lassiter scores in 3rd minute, Timbers beat Austin 2-0, clinch playoff spot

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Ariel Lassiter opened the scoring in the third minute, Kristoffer Velde added a goal and the Portland Timbers beat Austin FC 2-0 on Saturday night to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. 7 seed in the Western Conference and plays second-seeded Dallas in the best-of-three first round of the playoffs, which begin Nov.