The Timbers moved even closer to clinching their first-ever postseason berth on Sunday night with a 2-2 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Now, with just three games remaining in the regular season – and with just one MLS club (New York) that has locked up a playoff spot – the Timbers are one of six teams looking to secure a berth this week.
Portland, the Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders FC, Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake all enter the week with the potential to lock up a spot to the MLS Cup Playoffs. On the other side of the spectrum, Vancouver and Columbus are in danger of being eliminated.
Here’s a look at what needs to happen for the Timbers, and the rest of the teams, to prolong their seasons and have a shot at the title.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Portland will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Timbers win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday AND
- Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday OR
- Portland Timbers tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday AND
- Colorado Rapids win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday AND
- Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday
Seattle Sounders FC will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Seattle Sounders FC win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday OR
- Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday OR
- Seattle Sounders FC win vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday
Real Salt Lake will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday
Colorado Rapids will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Colorado Rapids win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday AND
- Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC lose vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday AND
- Colorado Rapids win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Sporting Kansas City will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
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Sporting Kansas City win vs. Houston Dynamo on Wednesday OR
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Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday OR
- Philadelphia Union lose vs. D.C. United on Saturday
Houston Dynamo will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Houston Dynamo win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday AND
- New England Revolution tie or lose vs. Montréal Impact on Saturday AND
- Chicago Fire lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday
Columbus Crew will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Houston Dynamo win or tie vs. Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday AND
- Montréal Impact win vs. New England Revolution on Saturday AND
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Philadelphia Union win vs. D.C. United on Saturday OR
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Columbus Crew lose vs. New England Revolution on Oct. 19 OR
- Columbus Crew tie vs. New England Revolution on Oct. 19 AND
- Philadelphia Union win or tie vs. D.C. United on Saturday OR
- Chicago Fire win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday
