D.C. United Vs. Portland Timbers: Draw Eliminates DC From Playoff Race, Portland On Last Legs

In the 73rd minute, De Rosario gathered the ball on the left and completely turned his defender around before ripping a rocket of a shot up and into the upper corner to equalize with a great goal. The match was level and it was about to get crazy.

With De Rosario pulling the strings, DC suddenly looked dangerous. He put a shot in the back of the goal, but it was ruled offside. He twice fed teammates for what should have been easy finishes, but they missed. Meanwhile, on the other end the Timbers were busy rattling the cross bar and in between it all the ball was bouncing around in front of goal on both ends. It was crazy, but it didn’t result in a goal.

The Timbers can move into a tie with the Red Bulls for 10th place and the final playoff spot with a win, but things would be as bad for DC as they are good for Portland if the Timbers win. Anything except for a win tonight eliminates DC from the playoff race so they better find an extra gear.

DC United finds themselves with a pair of must-win games or else it will miss the playoffs for a franchise record fourth-straight year. The first of those is on Wednesday. Black and Red United explains the situation:

I may get a little flack or hate-mail for saying the following, but a win tonight for Portland is a good thing for MLS.

Here is what I mean by that. MLS’s front office won’t openly admit to such a thing, but you have to believe that a team like Portland reaching the playoffs over a team like DC would be a better advertisement for the league. You can’t deny that should Portland somehow get into the playoffs and win the wild card round that the league isn’t drooling at the thought of a playoff game at JELD-WEN.