Needing a single point to assure themselves a place in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, the Portland Timbers host Dallas on Sunday at Providence Park.
A 1-0 loss to Austin FC in midweek kept the Timbers in ninth in the Western Conference, eight points ahead of the Toros, who were beaten 3-2 by the San Jose Earthquakes and officially eliminated from post-season contention.
Match preview
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On Wednesday, the Timbers' playoff hopes were temporarily put on hold as their three-match MLS unbeaten run officially ended.
That defeat was the first time all year that this team had failed to find the back of the net at home in this competition and the first time they were held goalless domestically at Providence Park since May 2023 (1-0 loss versus Minnesota United).
Portland have a six-point cushion in the Western Conference playoff race, as they and Austin FC each have two matches remaining.
Regardless of how their last two domestic encounters end, Phil Neville's side are likely post-season bound, as Austin cannot overtake them for points or wins, while the Timbers' goal differential is currently +9, and the Verde and Black are at -9.
The Timbers have not lost consecutive MLS encounters at Providence Park in the same season since 2019, a streak in jeopardy on Sunday.
They have not lost a regular-season home fixture against the Toros at Providence Park since the 2016 domestic campaign (3-1).
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For the first time since 2021, the Toros will not participate in the MLS Cup playoffs this year, suffering a 15th regular season defeat on Wednesday.
Peter Luccin has two more matches to prove he deserves to be the team's manager full-time next year, and the interim boss has won just one of his last six league contests in charge (3-1 over Los Angeles FC).
Luccin has lost his last three away matches in this competition, with their previous two defeats as the visitors being by a 3-2 margin.
Narrow defeats have been a theme for this team throughout the 2024 season, with 10 of their 15 MLS losses being by a single goal.
Another one this weekend would set a new club record for the most in a single 34-game regular season, surpassing the previous mark from 2021 (15).
If they fail to collect any more points this season, the Toros will have accumulated a mere 34 points in 2024, equalling their second-worst mark ever in a 34-match season.
Team News
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In their defeat versus Austin, the Timbers were without Mason Toye because of a back injury, while David Ayala returned from a lower-body issue on Wednesday, playing until the final few minutes before being replaced by Tega Ikoba.
Ayala was one of three newcomers in their starting 11 this week as he, Claudio Bravo and Evander came in for Miguel Araujo, Cristhian Paredes and Antony.
On Wednesday, the Toros were missing Liam Fraser due to a leg issue, Paxton Pomykal is out for the season with a left knee injury and Geovane Jesus is recovering from a torn ACL.
Goals from Alan Velasco and Sebastien Ibeagha ultimately proved to be in vain for Dallas in their midweek affair versus San Jose.
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Mosquera, Zuparic, Miller, Bravo; Chara, Ayala; Antony, Evander, Rodriguez; Mora
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Maurer; Tafari, Ibeagha, Farfan; Ruan, Illarramendi, Lletget, Arriola; Velasco; Kamungo, Ferreira
We say: Portland Timbers 3-0 Dallas
Dallas have been poor defensively for a good portion of the season, and they will have a plethora of attacking weapons to contend with this weekend, which we believe will ultimately be too much for them to handle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
