Portland Timbers Have Math on Their Side

With three games left in the season, the Portland Timbers have an excellent chance to finish on top of the USL-1 league standings. They need four points from the last three games to gain a lock on first place. Those are good odds, considering that the team will wrap up the season at home against the two worst teams in the league.

When the Puerto Rico Islanders defeated the Carolina Railhawks on Tuesday, they leapfrogged into second place in the standings with 50 points. The Islanders face the Minnesota Thunder tonight, then travel to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, September 12 for a rematch with the Railhawks. They will finish the season at Miami the following Saturday. With the exception of the Railhawks match, that’s a soft schedule for a very competent side. Nonetheless, the pressure is on the Islanders to win all three matches. A tie in the standings will not do, as the Timbers have a substantial lead in goal differential.

The Railhawks’ loss left them six points off the lead with two games to play, leaving them no chance of finishing first. Still, they have a fair chance at second, especially if they can win against the Islanders this Saturday.

The Timbers, meanwhile, could seal the league this weekend. They host the Austin Aztex on Friday, September 11th at 7:00 pm and the Cleveland City Stars on Sunday, September 13th at 5:00 pm. Next Thursday, September 17, they play their last match of the regular season against the City Stars. The Timbers have scored two fewer goals than the Aztex and City Stars combined – a tally that they must hope to improve in the final three games.