Portland gave Austin FC everything it had. The Timbers dominated possession. They strung together passes like video game combos and occupied the Austin zone for most of the game. After missing the playoffs for two years, the Timbers needed just a tie on Wednesday to clinch a spot in the postseason. The 662-day drought appeared to be all but over. Portland could taste it.

The thing about this Timbers team, however, is that despite playing its way into the playoffs with the best offense ever fielded here at Providence Park, good ol’ Hyde still likes to rear his ugly head from time to time.

On Wednesday night, that meant a 1-0 loss that will force the Timbers (12-11-9, 45 points) to wait until Sunday to end their postseason absence.

It was Daniel Pereira’s goal in the 42nd minute that ultimately gave the Timbers victory in this game. After a failed attempt at defense by Portland, Austin’s Venezuelan grabbed the ball, ripped it from the right side and fired it into the net when it deflected off a Portland defender.

Portland keeper Maxime Crepeau had no chance. Of course, that wasn’t the same for a Portland team that continued to pressure Austin for the rest of the game. But every time Austin had a chance to pivot, every moment he could waste time by taking seconds off the clock, he did it. Austin argued every foul. Austin’s players fell to the field as if they had osteogenesis imperfecta, then magically recovered when the team kept the ball. On several occasions, Austin’s goalie simply sat on the ball and waited and waited and waited to kick it out as a chorus of boos erupted from Providence Park.

The second half was arduous, and despite several chances for Jonathan Rodriguez, Felipe Mora and Evander, the Timbers just couldn’t dig themselves out of the muck in the half, even though they ultimately defeated Austin 26-7.

The loss was Portland’s first home loss since a 2-1 loss to Seattle on May 12.

Next: The Timbers complete their home opener on Sunday against FC Dallas before concluding the regular season on October 19th. In ninth place, the Timbers can secure a spot in the MLS Wild Card round with a win or draw in either game.

—Tyson Alger for The Oregonian/OregonLive