I mean, that's the bottom line for Saturday: a Timbers win (or draw) wins them a trophy. Playoff permutations being what they are, they may also get a home playoff game, but there's a trophy on the line. That's not nothin'.
It's not at all improbable that Vancouver will drop points in Salt Lake; RSL are extremely tough at home, have been all season. In my mind, the biggest "if" of Sunday is the Timbers winning on the road against a very in-form Sounders team. Minnesota is probably not going to lose to St. Louis, and RSL is a good bet to get at least a point at home, so it's up to the Timbers to make any Vancouver point drop count.
Don't think MLS has announced which league's play-in is on which day yet, just that the games take place on the 22nd/23rd. I imagine they'll announce specifics Saturday night or Sunday.
UPDATE: If the Timbers play Vancouver in the play-in game, the game's in Portland no matter what, thanks to a supercross event at BC Place on the 26th.
I mean, that's the bottom line for Saturday: a Timbers win (or draw) wins them a trophy. Playoff permutations being what they are, they may also get a home playoff game, but there's a trophy on the line. That's not nothin'.
It's not at all improbable that Vancouver will drop points in Salt Lake; RSL are extremely tough at home, have been all season. In my mind, the biggest "if" of Sunday is the Timbers winning on the road against a very in-form Sounders team. Minnesota is probably not going to lose to St. Louis, and RSL is a good bet to get at least a point at home, so it's up to the Timbers to make any Vancouver point drop count.
For one day, I'm #RSL4Life.
If we remain in 9th place, what day to we play in the playoffs?
Don't think MLS has announced which league's play-in is on which day yet, just that the games take place on the 22nd/23rd. I imagine they'll announce specifics Saturday night or Sunday.
If the Timbers draw and Vancouver loses, and we end up tied on points, do Vancouver host anyway because total wins is the tiebreaker?
Yep. MIN also holds that same tiebreaker over Portland. Basically, to have any shred of control, the Timbers need to go to Seattle and win.
UPDATE: If the Timbers play Vancouver in the play-in game, the game's in Portland no matter what, thanks to a supercross event at BC Place on the 26th.
https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/update-mls-cup-playoffs-wild-card-match