The Portland Timbers are in the Western Conference finals. Since their inception in MLS competition in 2011, they have only qualified for the playoffs on three occasions, this being their fourth. This is their third appearance in the Conference finals.
The Timbers do have a knack for success in the playoffs. And they are proving it again this season.
The Timbers have faced the two best teams in the Western playoffs not from the mid-West. They have beaten both of them, in dramatic fashion on both occasions.
They squeezed past FC Dallas in the knockout stage with a 2-1 win, although they were largely in control of the match.