Whitecaps can't host MLS Wild Card match

Portland's playoff route just got a little bit easier.

Portland’s chances of hosting a playoff game at Providence Park have significantly increased.

Due to a conflicting event at BC Place, and with no other venues available in the Vancouver market, should Vancouver Whitecaps FC finish as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, the MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card match would be played at the No. 9 seed’s stadium, a Timbers source told The I-5 Corridor. 

Based on the current MLS standings, if Vancouver finishes as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, its Wild Card match would be played against the ninth-seeded Portland Timbers at Providence Park.

As things stand, Vancouver (47 points) holds a narrow one-point lead over Portland (46 points) for the No. 8 spot. Both teams have one game remaining, with the Whitecaps also just two points behind No. 7 Minnesota. If Vancouver climbs to the No. 7 seed with a win and a Minnesota loss, the Timbers would travel to Minneapolis for the Wild Card match.

A Minnesota win over St. Louis, or a Vancouver draw or loss against Real Salt Lake, would guarantee the Wild Card match is played next week in Portland, regardless of the result of Portland’s regular-season finale Saturday at Seattle.

The Timbers are 9-3-5 at home and 3-8-5 on the road.

— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor