PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers will face FC Dallas in the first round of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs at Providence Park on Sunday, Nov. 22, it was announced today. Beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific), the match will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The MLS Cup Playoffs will feature single-elimination, knockout matches hosted by the higher seed from start to finish. The postseason will consist of a total of 17 knockout matches to be played over 22 days, beginning on Friday, November 20 and culminating with 2020 MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 12.
The Timbers secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference after earning a 1-1 draw on the road against Los Angeles FC on Nov. 8. It marks Portland’s fourth consecutive trip to the postseason – a club record for consecutive playoff appearances. The Timbers have qualified for the playoffs in six of their 10 seasons in MLS.
Portland squares off against FC Dallas in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third time in its history, posting a record of 2-0-1 in the previous meetings. The two teams first met in the two-legged 2015 Western Conference semifinals, with the Timbers advancing to the club’s first MLS Cup. In 2018, Portland recorded a 2-1 win on the road against FC Dallas in the Knockout Round.
The two teams did not play a match during the 2020 season. In the last meeting between the two clubs, Portland recorded a 1-0 win at Providence Park on June 30, 2019. The Timbers have posted a record of 9-8-8 all-time, including playoffs, against FC Dallas. Notably, Portland is 7-1-3 all-time against FC Dallas at Providence Park across all competitions.
With a win, Portland will advance to the Western Conference semifinals to square off against the winner of No. 2 seed Seattle Sounders FC and No. 7 seed Los Angeles FC on Dec. 1 or Dec. 2.
