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 ends Minnesota United's hopes for first-round home playoff berth
The Timbers defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 and clinched fourth place in the Western Conference.
By Staff and news services
November 4, 2021 at 5:14AM
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.
about the writer
Staff and news services
Minnesota started only two strikers against Seattle, leaving Sang Bin Jeong and Joseph Rosales to provide the width behind Teemu Pukki and Kelvin Yeboah.
