History is repeating itself for the Portland Timbers.
In 2013 Caleb Porter’s squad didn’t lose a game from September 7th onwards, helping the Timbers lock up top spot in the Western Conference.
A trip back to the summit isn’t in the cards this season, not after a rocky start that saw Portland fail to record their first win of the season until May. They’re on a roll now, however, asserting Cascadia dominance with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
The win pushes Portland into a playoff spot for the first time this season, as Porter’s side replicates last year's late push.
“Some teams, they always seem to get it done,” Porter said following the win.
“You watch, every year, certain teams you know they’re going to – even though it’s tight sometimes – you just know they’re going to punch through and get it done. And a lot of us believe it’s because of confidence, experience and maturity. And we looked like a team tonight that has been there done that, like last year.”
Diego Valeri recorded yet another superb goal and assisted on another.
The Timbers visit BMO Field for a giant fixture versus Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon. Prepare for madness.
Bradley Wright-Phillips inches closer to history
Yes it came against a Sounders team fielding several reserves after their midweek US Open Cup triumph, but what Bradley Wright-Phillips has done this season is bordering on the absurd.
BWP recorded his third hat trick of the season, leading the Red Bulls to a 4-1 win over Seattle. The London native has 24 goals this campaign, and sits just four away from breaking the all time single-season scoring record held by Chris Wondolowski and Roy Lassiter.
Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke made an MVP case for Wright-Phillips, who was playing in his first game since suffering a hamstring injury on September 10th, following the game.
“First, the goals and second, I challenge anybody who votes to go back and look at Bradley, the games when he got here last year until [now] and I guarantee you’ll see an improvement in little things and big things as well,” Petke said, via MLSSoccer.com’s Franco Panizo.
The Eastern Conference playoff picture
We leave the weekend with few answers and many questions as the season winds down. Columbus, New York and Toronto FC were winners, while Philadelphia could only muster a draw versus Houston.
Toronto FC's game in hand is looming large.
Goal of the week
Valeri’s perfect volley against Vancouver is the rightful choice for this week’s prize, but in terms of importance, Alan Gordon’s late header against FC Dallas is the winner.
Gordon’s go-ahead marker clinched a playoff berth for LA and put the Galaxy level on points with Seattle for first in the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield. Gordon has scored four goals since arriving from San Jose in August.
