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Timbers, Dynamo expect playoff atmosphere at Jeld-Wen

Oct 13, 2011 - 9:05 PM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Portland Timbers end their home schedule Friday night against the Houston Dynamo, and manager John Spencer expects more than just another good effort for a sold-out crowd at Jeld-Wen Field.

"It's not just important for the fans, it's important to give us three points for the playoffs," Spencer said on Major League Soccer's website.

Portland (11-13-7) has been one of the better teams in Major League Soccer at home, notching nine of its 11 victories in front of capacity crowds. For the expansion side to reach the playoffs, it needs a 10th this weekend.

The Timbers enter the match in 11th place, one spot out of the playoff berths. Houston (10-9-13) and Red Bull New York are both three points ahead, meaning this match holds even more meaning for both sides.

Portland has played one less match than Houston and New York, so a win against the Dynamo would pull the club level on points. Two road games, at D.C. United and Real Salt Lake, await, but first things first.

The Timbers have not lost at home since early July, and their 9-4-3 home mark, as well as their 4-1-2 record overall since mid-August, means Spencer's squad could take great form into the playoffs.

If it qualifies. Portland, fueled by the acquisition of Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer from Houston earlier this season, hopes the crowd makes a difference in their last regular-season home match.

"I think the energy here, there's a great energy, a positive energy, when we come out on the field, and I think that drives us forward," Spencer said.

Since Chabala and Palmer were acquired, the Timbers are allowing under a goal per game, and the former Dynamo players are looking forward to the huge game.

"This is it. This is a playoff game. This is what it all comes down to," said Chabala. "I want them to know what they're missing.

"I want to go out there and play the best football I can. I want to help my team win. And I want to walk off the field with my head high and give the crowd something to cheer for and to get us one step closer to the playoffs."

Palmer played down meeting his former club, but admitted the "incentive is, if we win the game, we catch them on points and we have a game in hand so we're even that much closer to the playoffs."

Houston, which is just 1-6-9 on the road, has plenty of incentive as well. The Dynamo could clinch a playoff berth with a win, and if D.C. United doesn't top the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

The Dynamo won the first meeting in Houston, 2-1, in August, and can still win the Eastern Conference with two wins and some help. Even a top-three finish is enough to secure a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and third-place and the Columbus Crew are just one point away.

Regardless of what other teams do over the remainder of the regular season, it will just take a win over Portland and the Los Angeles Galaxy in Houston's two remaining matches to seal a playoff spot.

"I think it's good," said Houston midfielder Brad Davis. "When stuff's out of your hands, it's unsettling. If we go out and perform or don't perform, we know it's on us.

"As a player, these are the games you live for. It's going to be loud, there's a lot of emotion ... because the season rides on [this game] for both sides.

"It'll be a playoff atmosphere and if you can't get up for this, I don't think you should be in this sport."