Sebastian Blanco scored two first-half goals as the Portland Timbers clinched the final first-round MLS home playoff berth Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah.
Portland, in fourth place in the Western Conference, increased its point total to 52 with one game remaining. Neither fifth-place Minnesota nor sixth-place Vancouver, both with 48 points, can overtake the Timbers and host a first-round game.
RSL remained at 45 points. Heading into Sunday's final regular-season games, five teams, including the Loons, are in contention for three playoff berths, separated by three points. Minnesota plays at seventh-place LA Galaxy (47 points).
All Sunday games involving Western Conference teams begin at 5 p.m.
Salt Lake (13-14-6) could have clinched a playoff spot but managed only a penalty-kick goal by Albert Rusnak, his career-high 11th, in the closing minutes.
Portland swept all three games in the series this season by a combined 12-4 margin.
