Portland Timbers sealed a place in the Western Conference final thanks to the slender victory over Colorado Rapids in the semi-finals. Timbers booked a final spot thanks to the 1-0 away win over Rapids when the two teams met at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Thursday.

LarrysMabiala scored the only goal at the end of the game to propel Portland Timbers to the Western Conference final where they will meet the winner of the other last four meeting between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.

Portland Timbers are the first team to secure a place in either the Western Conference final or the Eastern Conference final. Portland Timbers were the fourth best team in the Western Conference as far as the 2021 regular season is concerned. They finished the regular season with a six-point deficit off top spot recipient Colorado Rapids whom they knocked out in the final four.

Timbers will know their Western Conference final opponents on Sunday when Real Salt Lake take on Sporting Kansas City in the other semi-finals.

While the playoffs in the Western Conference is nearing conclusion, the same can’t be said about the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference will enter the last four on Sunday when Philadelphia Union take on Nashville SC in the first semi-final. The other semi-final will see New York City FC battle with hosts New England Revolution on Tuesday.

In the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union book their place in the last four thanks to the 1-0 home win over New York Red Bulls at the end of extra time. JakobGlesnes scored the only goal of the game. On their part, Nashville SC booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-1 comeback win over Orlando City at home. New York City FC booked their place in the semis with the 2-0 home win over Atlanta United.