How the Timbers can host the Wild Card Game and win the Cascadia Cup

A win or a draw over Seattle earns Portland the Cascadia Cup; Learn the scenarios on how Timbers can move up in the stadings

MLS Decision Day approaches Saturday with the Portland Timbers battling with Seattle Sounders FC not just for positioning in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs but also for the Cascadia Cup (6pm PT, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Here's how Portland can move up as well as clinch the Cup.

Playoff Seeding

Editor's note (Oct. 18, 2024):

If Vancouver Whitecaps FC finishes as the No. 8 or No. 9 seed, next week’s MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Game will be played at Providence Park due to a conflicting event at BC Place.

If Minnesota United FC finishes as the No. 8 seed, the Timbers will travel to Minnesota.

• MLS Standings

Portland currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference with an opportunity Saturday to move up to eighth place and earn home-field advantage in the Wild Card Game. There's tiebreakers at play here but it ultimately comes down to:

Portland will clinch the eighth seed in the Wild Card Game IF

• Portland defeats Seattle
• AND Vancouver loses or draws with Real Salt Lake

All other scenarios would see Portland stay in ninth place. Additionally, regardless of position, Portland will play either Vancouver or Minnesota United FC.

Cascadia Cup

The Cascadia Cup – the three-team competition between Portland, Vancouver and Seattle – is also up for grabs Saturday. Though the competition is fierce with all teams close, Vancouver has played all of their matches with Portland and Seattle the final match in the campaign. The Whitecaps currently sit in first place on eight points but, due to a number of tiebreakers, are no longer in contention. For Portland, the math is simple:

Portland will win the Cascadia Cup IF

• Portland defeats or draws Seattle