The Portland Timbers exploded for three objectives in a leading first half, securing a top-four seed in the Western Meeting with a commanding 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Arena on Wednesday night. Sebastian Blanco was the star of the program for the visitors, racking up 2 of his group's 3 objectives and establishing up the other with a dispersed cross that led to a very own objective. With the success, the Timbers are ensured a home Audi MLS Mug Championship game, while RSL missed out on an opportunity to secure a postseason spot and rather currently get in Choice Day with their playoff really hopes directly on the ropes. RSL pushed the activity early, however it was Portland that struck for an opener versus the run of play on 17 minutes with a perfectly executed edge kick regimen. Cristhian Paredes gave the aid with a flipped header to the far article that discovered Blanco unmarked, permitting the Argentine to head home a basic close-range coating. The suit remained wide-open in the aftermath, with each side striking one off the article within mins of the goal. Jaroslaw Niezgoda and also Justen Glad each had totally free headers that they put on target, only to see them rejected by the woodwork. Rose city after that added their second in the 38th min thanks to an own goal. The sequence was pioneered by Blanco, who hit Thankful with a series of jukes before sending out in a reduced cross that deflected into the net off RSL's Aaron Herrera. Blanco capped off the first-half onslaught by locating his brace in the 45th minute, as the Timbers ripped open an out-of-sorts RSL protection with a medical counterattack. Niezgoda gave the help with a simple cross that Blanco conveniently slotted into an open net, with RSL goalkeeper David Ochoa managed his line. Rose city shielded the three-goal benefit till late in the 2nd half, though RSL ultimately brought one back by means of an 88th-minute penalty shot from Albert Rusnak that ended up being a moot point. Goals 17' - POR - Sebastian Blanco|WATCH38' - POR - Aaron Herrera (OG)|WATCH45' - POR - Sebastian Blanco|WATCH88' - RSL - Albert Rusnak (PK)|Enjoy Three Things THE BIG IMAGE: They have actually sustained some battles this year, yet credit score to the Timbers for their late-season rise that not only obtained them back into the playoff mix yet guaranteed a residence game once they arrive. For RSL, the first-half defensive gaps brought about a missed out on chance that might define their period, as they went from being able to clinch a postseason quote to currently being below the playoff line heading into Decision Day, requiring a win at Sporting Kansas City. MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Rose city were under a reasonable quantity of pressure early until Blanco's opener completely flipped the manuscript. MAN OF THE SUIT: Blanco makes this an easy telephone call with his all-around electrical efficiency. With their most vibrant aggressor looking significantly back to full strength after his midseason return from a torn ACL, the Timbers do not have the appearance of a group anybody is going to desire to encounter in the playoffs. Successive RSL: Sunday, November 7 at Sporting Kansas City|6 pm ET (MLS SURVIVE ESPN+) POR: Sunday, November 7 vs. Austin FC|6 pm ET (MLS SURVIVE ESPN+) Ari Liljenwall -. https://www.portlandtimberstee.com/Santiago-Moreno-T-Shirt