With the Portland Timbers 5-2 win over the LA Galaxy Sunday nightand their 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Wednesday night, they vaulted themselves into a tie for third place in the Western Conference with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 50 points and put themselves in good position in the race for the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
With their last regular season home game Sunday against the Colorado Rapids (4:00pm PT, ROOT SPORTS), the Timbers are in the driver's seat to clinch a playoff spot. Portland can clinch a playoff spot with:
- A win or a draw against Colorado on Sunday.
OR
- A San Jose loss or draw.
OR
- A Seattle loss or draw.
OR
- Sporting Kansas City loss or draw.
Given the tight Western Conference standings, the Timbers could finish as high as second place, though Portland would need a number of results to also go their way. Here’s how the seeding could go:
- Portland will be the No. 2 seed if they win against COL AND VAN loses or draws AND LA loses or draws. The Timbers would bypass the knockout round and get an automatic spot in the conference semifinal round.
- Portland will be the No. 3 seed if they win AND VAN loses or draws OR LA loses or draws. The Timbers would host a knockout round match at Providence Park.
- Portland will be the No. 3 seed if they tie AND VAN loses AND SEA loses or draws AND SKC loses or draws. The Timbers would host a knockout round match at Providence Park.
- Portland will be the No. 4 seed if they win AND VAN wins AND either LA or SKC wins in their match against each other. The Timbers would host a knockout round match at Providence Park.
- Portland will be the No. 4 seed if they tie AND two of the following occur: VAN loses AND SEA loses or draws AND SKC loses or draws.
- With a victory over Colorado, Portland is guaranteed a top four seed.
No. 4, West – 50 points | Schedule: 10/25 vs COL
