Timbers host Dynamo on Friday in fight for playoff spot
The Portland Timbers will play their last home game of the season at Jeld-Wen Field against the Houston Dynamo on Friday in a match that may decide which team makes it to the Major League Soccer playoffs. Portland and Houston are among four teams vying for the last two playoff spots.
In their first season in the MLS, the Timbers’ playoff destiny is in their own hands. They will qualify for the playoffs if they win all of their remaining three matches. However, two of the three games are away from home and two games are against teams also vying for a playoff spot.
“We have three games in eight days that will define our entire season,” captain and all-star midfielder Jack Jewsbury said in a media statement. “We got to worry about the first game before we can think about winning all three games.”
Earlier this year, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut and the Rose City greeted the team with unprecedented support and enthusiasm. The Timbers supporters, dubbed the Timbers Army, flocked to the team’s newly revamped stadium for home games, all of which were completely sold out.
For the 2011 season, the Timbers had a great start to their home campaign. After going without a win in their first three MLS games on the road, the team went on a seven-game home winning streak starting in April.
Their incredible record at Jeld-Wen Field was in stark contrast with their struggles on the road. The Timbers have won nine home games compared to just two victories away from home this season.
In the MLS, ten teams make it to the playoffs after the regular season. The top three teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences automatically qualify for the playoffs. The next-best four teams, based on their points total in the regular season, irrespective of their conference, qualify as well.
The New York Red Bulls (43 points) and D.C. United (38 points) are the other two teams along with Portland (40 points) and Houston (43 points) contending for the final two playoff spots. The Timbers, who have three games in hand, play D.C. United after taking on Houston. D.C. United has four games still to play.
“We got to get some results no matter what happens. Obviously you watch around the league what’s going on and keep an eye on that stuff,” Jewsbury said. “But at the end of the day, our focus has got to be on the way we come back and get ourselves ready for the final stretch and push for the playoffs.”
Earlier this season, the Timbers played Houston in Texas and lost 1-2. Houston scored two goals in the first half while Jewsbury pulled one back for Portland in the second half.
Jewsbury is taking the playoff race one game at a time.
“There is going to be pressure this week going into the Houston game. We feel that we definitely take care of our home game and take three points,” Jewsbury said. “And then go on the road and play two away games. D.C. and Salt Lake are two tough places to play, and we have to get a result there.”
Last weekend, the Timbers recorded only their second away win of the season. Thanks to a Kenny Cooper goal in the 25th minute, Portland prevailed 1-0 over the Vancouver Whitecaps, thereby keeping their playoff hopes alive.
This year, the Timbers obtained two defensive players, Mike Chabala and Lovel Plamer, from Houston. Both Chabala and Palmer are keen to put one past their former team this weekend. Since the trade, the Timbers have conceded only 0.7 goals per game.
“This is a home game against a team we’re looking to even the score with,” Chabala said on PortlandTimbers.com. “I want them to know what they’re missing. I want to go out there and play the best football I can. I want to help my team win. And I want to walk off the field with my head high and give the crowd something to cheer for and to get us one step closer to the playoffs.”
