BEAVERTON, Ore. – Portland Timbers’ training has resumed with the same air of confidence that characterized their last two weeks of preparation – the time that links clinching their playoff spot (winning Oct. 21, against Real Salt Lake) and this, the days before Sunday's first leg of their Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal 2:30pm PT, ESPN | Match presented by Carls Jr.).
That said conference semifinal is against Seattle Sounders FC didn’t weigh on training, until the session was over. Then, amidst asks from the media, the players slipped into the moment, embracing what will be the second postseason meeting among Cascadia’s fiercest rivals in the Major League Soccer era.