Thursday night’s match presented itself with the opportunity Sporting KC were looking for all season long: One game, at home at Children's Mercy Park, with a chance to go to MLS Cup.
Ultimately, they fell short, as the Portland Timbers' second half performance ruined the 1-0 lead Sporting KC posted, with the visitors prevailing 3-2 in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship second leg to book their place in the title game. The mood in the Sporting KC locker room reflected such disappointment. It was uncommonly quiet, and the players' faces told the gravity of the moment.