PORTLAND, OR (KPTV/AP) -
The Portland Timbers have been eliminated from the MLS postseason after the New York Red Bulls notched a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union Thursday night.
The Timbers needed a Union win, plus a win in their own match Saturday against Real Salt Lake, to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.
SLIDESHOW: Timbers fall in their home season finale
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls went into the game in danger of missing the playoffs entirely had they lost or tied. The defensive-minded Union stopped all but one of New York's 11 shots. And the one that did get past goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon went in off his own back in the eighth minute.
After a rocky middle of the season, the Red Bulls (10-8-16) won their most important game of the season - even without leading scorer Thierry Henry - to pull into a tie with Houston for the
ninth seed of 10 playoff spots.
The Timbers are coming off 1-1 draw with D.C. United that featured point-blank saves from Troy Perkins and a first-half goal from in-form forward Kenny Cooper.
Wednesday's Game
- D.C. United 1, Portland 1, tie
Thursday's Game
- New York 1, Philadelphia 0
Saturday's Games
- New England at Toronto FC, 9:30 p.m.
- Colorado at Vancouver, 4 p.m.
- Sporting Kansas City at D.C. United, 4:30 p.m.
- Columbus at Chicago, 5:30 p.m.
- Portland at Real Salt Lake, 6 p.m. (PDX TV)
- FC Dallas at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
- Seattle FC at Chivas USA, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday's Games
- Los Angeles at Houston, 4 p.m.
(Copyright 2011 KPTV. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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