No need to wait until Decision Day to enjoy the table-shifting drama, thanks to the Portland Timbers.
In the final match before Decision Day, Portland put their Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs destiny back in their own hands by downing Houston Dynamo FC, 3-1, to jump back into the Western Conference postseason picture in an eighth-place Wild Card spot.
A win next Saturday at Austin FC would secure a third straight playoff berth for a Timbers team in their first year under head coach Martà Cifuentes (7 pm ET | Apple TV).
"It's very good to see my teammates play like that. Important win, but the job is not done yet," said opening goalscorer David Da Costa. "Good spirit, and we see on the pitch when we play like that, when we help each other, it is perfect for the team."
Stars shine
When the big moment arrives, big players answer the call. And that's exactly what Portland's stars did on Sunday night.
After scoring Portland's first-ever MLS hat trick in September, summer signing Vincent Janssen delivered his second multi-goal contribution game in a Timbers jersey with 1g/2a to earn Man of the Match honors.
Both Portland Designated Players, Da Costa and Kristoffer Velde, joined Janssen as goalscorers to stuff the star-studded scoresheet in their third consecutive victory.
Of course, the success or failure of Portland's late-season surge lies in black and white, above or below the playoff line.
"I think with the style of how the MLS is with the competition, the last push of the competition is super important where you get into a form with your team, you get into a mood where you're basically – so let's say you win the last couple of games. You get into a confidence, everyone gets confidence, it's like a boost for everyone," explained Janssen.
"... Everyone has a pretty good feeling right now, and our objective is getting to the playoffs. I think we're in a pretty good spot right now."
Playoff pursuit
Entering the day sitting 11th in the West, Portland knew they had work to do. But after Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC and the Colorado Rapids all lost on Saturday, the Timbers spotted a window to burst past their competition in the playoff race.
Sunday's win catapults the Timbers above all three conference foes while serendipitously bumping bitter rivals Seattle out of playoff positioning heading into Decision Day.
While a win would secure at least a Wild Card berth for Portland, a seventh-place finish in the West and the corresponding Round One berth remain alive when they visit Austin on Decision Day.
"If you see the full stadium and everybody happy going home, that's the way I enjoy [winning] the most," said Cifuentes. "But yeah, tomorrow at nine o'clock probably will want to start right with Austin."
