The Portland Timbers need points to stay afloat in the Western Conference.
Above the red line on a tie-breaker and just three days and one uninspired loss removed from having a home playoff match within their reach, the Timbers are now in danger of slipping back out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. If the Timbers want to stay relevant in the West, they will need to take all three points today against a New York Red Bulls side in equally dire straits.
On Sunday, D.C. United came to town willing to bunker in and take a draw as they grind their way into securing a playoff spot out East.