The Portland Timbers have made a valiant effort to come on strong down the stretch, creating chances while scoring the third-most goals in MLS. Caleb Porter's squad is potentially a win or draw away from the playoffs--depending on what happens between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Colorado Rapids later Saturday evening--and but first they'll need to take care of business against FC Dallas (5:30pm PT, ROOT SPORTS). Let's take a look at five numbers to know for Saturday night's match.
1
Portland and Vancouver are separated by just a single point at this juncture in the season. The Timbers need to pass their Cascadia rivals in order to secure the final spot in the playoffs, and a win or a tie could still see them advance to the postseason provided the Caps draw or lose respectively.
214
The Timbers have not allowed a goal in MLS play in 214 consecutive minutes. The Timbers have shut down opponent offenses since Chris Wondolowski scored in the 56th minute on Oct. 4--a game in which Portland went on to win 2-1. Since then, the Timbers posted back-to-back clean sheets against San Jose and Real Salt Lake.
Two FC Dallas is on a win streak heading into the final match of the season, having beat Colorado and LA in their last two times on the pitch. Portland has their defense clicking having posted back-to-back cleansheets. Moreover, the Timbers have the second-best road goal differential of any Western Conference team.
41
Over the last 25 regular-season games, the Timbers have registered an 11-6-8 overall record (41 pts)--good for fourth most points in MLS. The Timbers have also only lost one regular season game in their last eight matches 4-1-3.
OneMidfielder Rodney Wallace is currently sitting on five goals in MLS play. Should he score one more, he will be come the sixth Timbers player to have six or more goals in the 2014 season joining Will Johnson (6), Gaston Fernandez (7), Fanendo Adi, Maximiliano Urruti (9), and Diego Valeri (11).
