Champs Portland miss playoffs

NEW YORK, Oct 24, (AFP): Reigning MLS Cup champions the Portland Timbers missed out on a playoff berth as the regular season concluded Sunday with a welter of matches that included a big win for New York City FC.

Portland needed a win against the Vancouver Whitecaps to reach the post-season, but fell 4-1 to their Cascadia Cup rivals at BC Place. The defeat, and Sporting Kansas City’s 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes saw the Timbers become the first reigning MLS cup winners to miss the playoffs since

Seattle Sounders’ Osvaldo Alonso (center), and Chad Marshall (14) watch a header ball in the second half of an MLS soccer match against Real Salt Lake on Oct 23, in Seattle. (AP)

the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2006.

The Timbers finished seventh in the Western Conference and were edged for the final three berths in the West by the Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake and Sporting — who joined FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids and the Galaxy.

Dallas closed the season with a goalless draw against the Galaxy — but claimed the Supporters’ Shield awarded to the team that tops the overall table after the regular season.

As a result, they have homefield advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs and will enjoy a firstround bye, as will Colorado.

The East-leading New York Red Bulls charge into the playoffs on a 16-match unbeaten streak capped by Sunday’s 2-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Union.

Bradley Wright-Phillips opened the scoring, chipping a long cross over union keeper Andre Blake and tapping in for a goal that gives him a second MLS Golden Boot with 24 goals this season.