WILL THE TIMBERS RALLY

The Portland Timbers currently sit in the No. 6 spot in the Major League Soccer Western Conference – the top seven in the standings make the playoffs.

But they have been struggling for the past four matches, going winless (two draws, two losses) and scoring only two goals. Until this week, the Timbers hadn’t scored since Sept. 7, beating Sporting Kansas City 2-1 with the late goal by Brian Fernandez.

In their first three matches since, the Timbers struggled greatly on offense, even with a total of 66 shots (including blocked shots). On Sunday, Sept. 22, at Providence Park, the team looked more aggressive and recorded 28 total shots but again went scoreless for the night in a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United.

The frustrated team came out to play again at home on Wednesday night against New England. Portland forward Jeremy Ebobisse had an incredible goal in the 48 minute to put the Timbers on the board, finally. In the 81st minute, Ebobisse scored another goal that seemed to be assisted by the opposing team (nearly an own-goal). But the home team couldn’t stop the late rally by the Revolution, who scored two goals in the last three minutes of regulation and stoppage time, for a 2-2 tie.

The Timbers now need a run for the last two games of the season to make, and get ready for, the playoffs. They travel to Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 26, to play at 4:30 p.m. (Root Sports), then have their last game of the regular season at home on Sunday, Oct. 6 against the  San Jose Earthquakes at 1 p.m. (also Root Sports).