The Houston Dynamo bested third-seed Sporting KC at home on Thursday with an Alberth Elis goal in extra-time. It was an ugly, boring game — pretty predictable considering how those teams play. The Portland Timbers, who beat Vancouver on Decision Day to take first in the Western Conference, will face the Dynamo in a two-leg conference semifinals matchup.
The rundown
Portland are what they are: a team with a bunch of talented attackers, a feisty central midfield and an at-best questionable defense. They scored 60 goals in the regular season, easily the best in the conference, and survived giving up 50 goals en route to a first-place finish.