The Portland Timbers’ have only lost once since September 13: a 2-1, October 14 defeat at Real Salt Lake that came after short rest and travel to altitude. Since then, Portland has gone 6-1-3, moving into the race for first in the Western Conference while securing the Timbers’ fourth-straight playoff appearance.
In the process, Portland has started collecting one of Major League Soccer’s most valuable possessions: late-season momentum.
“In MLS, it's all about momentum and making sure that you climb with that momentum, climb to the top of that momentum, at the right time ...,” Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said on Friday, ahead of his team’s Sunday game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7pm PT, FOX 12 PLUS (KPDX)).