Minnesota United, which didn't sniff the playoffs during its first two MLS seasons, can clinch one of the Western Conference's seven playoff spots with a victory Sunday over Portland. And a little help.
The Loons will do so if they win and San Jose loses Saturday at Atlanta.
They also clinch if they win and FC Dallas loses or ties New York City FC on Sunday in a match that will start just as the Loons' match ends.
It's a new atmosphere for an expansion franchise that missed the playoffs by 10 points its inaugural season in 2017 and by 13 last season.
"We're at that stage of the season where every game is an implication, either for yourself or somebody else," United coach Adrian Heath said. "We're in that situation until the last game of the season. Do we make the playoffs? It's still not determined. Have we given ourselves a chance? Yeah, but then you start to get greedy. Then you want a home playoff game."
Moving on
United recalled defender Wyatt Omsberg from its Madison, Wis., affiliate when reserve defender Brent Kallman's 10-game suspension came down after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Now Omsberg or veteran Lawrence Olum will provide depth at the center-back position that Kallman previously did behind starters Ike Opara and Michael Boxall.
"It's like having an injury at this stage of the season," Heath said. "It's something we hadn't planned."
