PORTLAND, Ore. – A 0-0 first leg result can test everything you believe about soccer’s away goal rule – the custom that says come the end of a two-legged series, tie goes to the team that scored more often away from home.
Ignore that reality, and the Portland Timbers have reason for concern after Sporting Kansas City earned a scoreless draw at Providence Park, during the first leg of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship Sunday night. Embrace the rule, though, and the Timbers are right to see a major silver lining after their leg-one draw, one that may give them an edge despite not claiming victory at home.