The Portland Timbers are looking to carry their recent momentum into the 2015 MLS Cup as they start the Western Conference Finals today against FC Dallas at Providence Park at 4:30pm. The second leg will be next Sunday in Texas.
The Timbers are in the Western Conference Final for the second time in three years, having fallen to Real Salt Lake 5-2 on aggregate in 2013. The Timbers were the top seed in the Western Conference that year, and after going head 1-0 on the road in the first leg, gave up four consecutive goals and were down 4-2 coming back home, where they lost 1-0.
Undefeated in their last six matches, the Timbers are carrying a lot of momentum into today’s match, including shutting out the second seeded Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 on aggregate in the Conference Semifinals. FC Dallas advanced to the Conference Finals on penalty kicks after splitting 2-1 decisions with Seattle, with each time winning on their home field.
Both sides will also have a lot of confidence in winning against long odds, as both have escaped seemingly dire circumstances to advance, the Timbers in the first round when they needed a late goal in overtime (as well as a shot off two posts in penalties) to defeat Sporting Kansas City in the first round, and Dallas needing a stoppage time goal to force overtime in the Conference Semifinals.
The Timbers are looking to be the first of the eight most recent MLS expansion teams (going back to Toronto FC in 2007) to get to the MLS Cup Final.
