MLS: Breaking down the Western Conference Playoffs

By Matt Coles | Oct 17, 2019

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 01: Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris (13) celebrates his 2nd half goal with fans during an MLS match against the LA Galaxy on September 1, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Real Salt Lake celebrate a goal during the second half against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 28, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

[3] Real Salt Lake

Also getting above Minnesota United on Decision Day were Real Salt Lake, who needed just a single goal to take a vital victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps to vault themselves into the top three in the Western Conference. With the victory, they also guaranteed themselves home-field advantage for their first-round postseason clash with the Portland Timbers.

Their season started terribly, though, with just a single victory from their opening six MLS regular season matches, including a defeat to D.C. United where they shipped five goals. However, from there, Real Salt Lake managed to find their way, and find their form. From May to August, they lost just five times, winning 10 of their 19 league games.

RSL won their last two matches of the regular season to move into the top three in the Conference, setting up a clash with Portland on Saturday evening. Despite being above the Timbers in the standings following the finale of the regular season, the visitors will fancy themselves on Saturday as they took victory in both matches against RSL in 2019, winning 2-1 away from home in May before a 1-0 success at Providence Park in August.

Real Salt Lake triumphed in the MLS Cup in 2009; could they take a second title a decade after their first?

First Round Fixture – Saturday 19th, 22:00 ET:

[3] Real Salt Lake v [6] Portland Timbers

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