Four Scenarios for the Timbers to Get Into the Play-offs

The guys over at PortlandTimbers.com have determined there are four possible ways for the Timbers to still reach the play-offs. None of them look very good, but hey, we'll take em!

Portland Timbers clinch a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

They defeat both D.C. United and Real Salt Lake AND
New York Red Bulls tie or lose to Philadelphia Union

They defeat D.C. United AND
Chicago Fire defeat Columbus Crew AND
New York Red Bulls lose to Philadelphia Union

They defeat Real Salt Lake AND
Chicago Fire defeat Columbus Crew AND
D.C. United tie or lose to Sporting Kansas City
New York Red Bulls lose to Philadelphia Union

A combination of a win and a draw against D.C. United and Real Salt Lake AND
New York Red Bulls lose to Philadelphia Union

7 months ago Geoff Gibson 21 comments 0 recs |

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Read More: mls play offs, Portland Timbers

Comments

The team that came out so flat on Friday night with so much to play for arguably doesn't deserve to make the playoffs

I’m still annoyed at that game.

by pdb on Oct 17, 2011 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

I am of a similar mindset

but the NYRBs don’t deserve to make the playoffs either. And if the Timbers can turn it around and win the last two games on the road, they’ll definitely deserve that playoff spot.

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 17, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

you could say that about

New York and DC United as well. I would still rather see Portland in over any of the teams from the East.

by denz on Oct 17, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I am a Timbers fan so of course I'd rather see Portland get in than anyone else

I’m just frustrated that they keep being handed lifelines and they keep dropping them.

by pdb on Oct 17, 2011 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

How many times do we have to go “No, REALLY this is it! If you don’t win, you’re out! No more chances!” while the team keeps dropping those opportunities?

First it was dropping that disappointment in New York, with The Phantom Handball and everything. But we could’ve avoided that if we had just done SOMETHING, ANYTHING against San Jose the previous Wednesday. Houston came in physical, playing negative football, and we didn’t push back when we got pushed. Unacceptable play in what should have been a memorable home finale.

It’s like when Blazer fans cheer for the team to get in the 8th spot in the West; what do you accomplish outside of getting your ass kicked in the first round and dropping some spots in the draft order? It’s not worth it, and the team hasn’t played all year like they deserve it, considering we have the third most losses in the league behind Vancouver and New England, who are truly awful teams. Are we unlucky? Maybe. Badly coached? Dubious. But playoff teams overcome bad officiating, bad luck, and most importantly GET RESULTS ON THE ROAD. This team just isn’t ready for that, I’d love to see them in the postseason as much as anyone, but nothing the Timbers have shown have made me think they’re not making excuses for their play.

I want to see more of that 3-4-3, really more of a 3-4-1-2 with Nagbe as CAM, playing that Napoli style with him in the Cavani/Hamsik role.

by vitaminx on Oct 17, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Such a hard team to figure

Are they the team with 11 wins – more than NY, CHI, DC, TOR, NE, VAN, SJ, CHV and equal to COL, HOU, PHI – or the team that has lost 14? It’s both. They’re just inconsistent and playoffs or not they’re mediocre if we’re judging them by “established MLS team” standards. If judging by “expansion team” standards they’re surprisingly good at home (not surprising to us) and predictably bad on the road. Overall, I’m okay with the first year results. But if it’s the same story next year or year after then something is wrong.

They should be better for playing these tough “playoff like” games late in the season. The players that stick around will understand what to expect next year and it gives the coaching staff an indication of who can be relied on when under pressure.

by yepyou'reright on Oct 17, 2011 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Also -

They might play with a bit more urgency early in the season knowing that just a result or two different and they’re in the playoffs.

by ledjom on Oct 18, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Get in and all things change

Look at the last two winners. 8th seed and 7th seed.

I think RSL was stronger than the 8th seed suggests but still the point is get in and momentum is going your way and in soccer things can go your way alot easier when you only play 1/2 game sets rather than best of 5 or 7 where the better team pretty much always surfaces.

by lysander on Oct 17, 2011 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I must be missing something

Why would the Timbers clinch if they beat DC, NY lost to Philly and Chicago beat Columbus? Wouldn’t NYRB still win the tie breaker against Portland? And what part does Chicago’s win play in any of that?

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 17, 2011 2:42 PM PDT reply actions

Just figured it out

Three-way draw. With 7 points we win a three-way draw with NY and Chicago. Brilliant!

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 17, 2011 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Wouldn’t we lose the draw to NY based on head to head record as well as goal differential if we were tied with them?

by vitaminx on Oct 17, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

If we were tied with only them yes

But with Chicago added in, the tie breaker goes to the team with the best head-to-head-to-head record involving all those teams.

Since the Timbers beat Chicago twice, that adds 6 points to our 1 point against NY. New York has two draws against Chicago, adding only two points to their 4-point record against Portland. Chicago is last at 2 points for their draws against NY.

The result:
Portland 7
New York 6
Chicago 2

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Oct 17, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions