The Portland Timbers may not be taking a lead to Children's Mercy Park, but they won't be short on confidence.
After a goalless draw in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship, the Timbers can only be eliminated with a loss to Sporting Kansas City. Another goalless draw sends the game to extra time while a tie with goals would see Portland through on away goals.
"They know we can go away and win anywhere," defender Liam Ridgewell asserted.
The Timbers have been no stranger to some road playoff magic in 2018. They beat FC Dallas away from home in the Knockout Round, then prevailed over the Sounders after penalties in Seattle in the Conference Semifinal.
"We went and won in Dallas, we went and won in Seattle," Ridgewell continued. "That's all we need to do. We keep rolling, keep playing as a team, we can win anywhere. Looking forward to Thursday."
Still, Portland were so close to scoring on Sunday against SKC.
Within the opening 10 minutes, they nearly took the lead through Jorge Villafana, but his strike rattled the inside of the post, rocketed across the goal line and away from danger. Later in the game, David Guzman found the back of the net but was correctly ruled offside.
The Timbers have no regrets nor hard feelings.
"We battled, we hit the post, a couple good chances didn't find the corner," goalkeeper Jeff Attinella said. "It's 0-0, we're going to take this as a positive. They didn't get that away goal."
Villafana echoes his keeper's sentiment.
"I think it's a great result," Villafana said. "Going over there, they have to score. If we score, it's going to be tough on them."
Leg 2 is set up for a fantastic spectacle.
