PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers moved back above the Western Conference playoff line Sunday night, beating Houston Dynamo FC 3-1 at Providence Park with one regular-season game left.
Vincent Janssen had a hand in all three Portland goals, scoring one and assisting on the other two. His through ball set up David Da Costa in the 25th minute, and his long pass over the top sent Kristoffer Velde in to score in the 65th.
Houston pulled one back in the 71st minute when Agustin Bouzat beat the goalkeeper from the top of the box. Janssen restored the two-goal cushion in the 78th, heading home a Da Costa corner.
Portland started the day 11th in the West. Saturday losses by Real Salt Lake, Seattle and Colorado opened the door, and the win lifted the Timbers to eighth, a Wild Card position, at 12-14-7 with 43 points. It was their third straight victory and fourth match without a loss.
The race stays tight: three points separate the six clubs from seventh through 12th, with three postseason places still open. Portland closes Saturday, Nov. 7, at Austin FC, and a win there would clinch a third playoff trip in a row in the first season under coach Marti Cifuentes.
The Timbers finished 9-4-4 at home this season.
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