Real Salt Lake-Timbers Preview

A year ago, the Portland Timbers finished atop the Western Conference standings.

Now, they're just fighting to reach the postseason.

Looking for a third straight victory, the Timbers attempt to move into playoff position Friday night when they host postseason-bound Real Salt Lake.

A first-time playoff qualifier as the regular-season conference champs in its third year of existence, Portland (11-9-12) is one point behind fifth-place Vancouver for the final postseason spot in the West. Though a tie Friday would move the Timbers into that fifth spot based on better goal-differential over Vancouver, a loss and a Whitecaps' victory over San Jose on Saturday would eliminate Portland from postseason contention.

"It's nice, at the very least, where the final games mean something," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "We're in that position. We can't do anything about the other teams, and the other scenarios."

Portland has answered the bell while winning three of its last four MLS matches.

"I think our guys have a very businesslike approach," said Porter, whose club is in the midst of a 4-1-1 league home stretch. "We're in a really good groove right now. We're doing everything we can, and we want to keep it going."

The Timbers return to the pitch for the first time since Oct. 8, when Diego Valeri scored twice and Rodney Wallace added his third goal in two matches during a 3-0 victory that completed a home-and-home sweep of San Jose.

Valeri has scored four of his team-leading 11 league goals in his last four matches.

He also assisted on one of Fanendo Adi's two goals in a 3-1 victory at Real Salt Lake (14-8-10) on June 7.

Headed to the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, RSL is third in the West, but one point ahead of fourth-place FC Dallas.

"If we want to avoid that (No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed) play-in game and stay in the third spot, these next two games are crucial," Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers told MLS' official website. "This one against Portland is the biggest for sure."

Though the 2009 MLS Cup champion and last year's runner-up is mired in a season-high three-match league road skid, RSL should have some momentum following Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Earthquakes. Ned Grabavoy scored in the 24th minute and Sebastian Velasquez followed with a goal four minutes later.

"As far as we're concerned, all the playoff attitude starts now," defender Tony Beltran said.

"There's still a lot of hard work to be done. There's still two games to focus on. We want to go to Portland and get a result."

Grabavoy scored his only other goal of the year during a 1-0 home victory over the Timbers on April 19.

Including last year's conference finals, Salt Lake is 2-0-2 at Portland since falling 1-0 in its first trip there April 30, 2011.