Timbers-FC Dallas Preview

The Portland Timbers almost certainly need a victory in their final match - and definitely need some outside help - in order to make a return trip to the postseason.

They'll try for their first-ever road win over playoff-bound FC Dallas on Saturday night.

The Timbers (11-9-13) are one point behind Vancouver for the final Western Conference playoff spot. They would earn a second straight berth with a win and a Whitecaps loss or tie against Colorado later in the evening. They can also reach the postseason with a tie and a Vancouver loss.

Portland was knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League with Tuesday night's defeat to Olimpia in Honduras. Coach Caleb Porter described managing his team as a balancing act, as he said he didn't want to "sacrifice this competition, or the league."

"We rested seven players but we still felt we could get the result. At the end of the day we fell short and now we have to focus our energy on Saturday and put this behind us,' Porter said. "Fortunately, we have seven key players, guys that have been regular starting players that are fresh."

The Timbers can blame their precarious position on the inability to capitalize on six shots on goal in a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake last Friday. Portland had totaled 18 goals in its previous seven matches before being shut out for the first time in 14 games.

Maximiliano Urruti, tied for second on the team with nine goals, went scoreless for the 11th time in his last 12 matches.

Portland is 0-3-2 at Dallas, losing 2-1 in its most recent game there March 29. Dallas is 12-3-1 at home and looking for a ninth straight victory at Toyota Stadium that would match a club record set Aug. 4, 1999-March 18, 2000.

Dallas (16-11-6) has secured its first postseason appearance since 2011 and is two points behind Real Salt Lake for third place. With a win, Dallas would clinch third and avoid a knockout match against Vancouver or Portland, which would also grant the team more time off before beginning the playoffs.

"Momentum is such a big thing," midfielder Adam Moffat told the league's official website. "No matter who we're playing against, it's a home game and it's in our hands. We win and we're putting ourselves in a better spot. We're going to go for it."

Blas Perez scored his team-leading 11th goal on a penalty kick in last Saturday's 1-0 victory over Colorado.

The Timbers and Dallas also played to a 2-all draw in Portland on June 11. Perez scored in that meeting after also recording a goal March 29.