This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Portland • As expected, it's wide open.
But the two teams who have totaled 15 goals in their three previous competitions against one another, Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers are knotted 0-0 at halftime at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Ore.
The Timbers, who clinched a playoff berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs with Seattle's lost to FC Dallas, had the best chance of the first 45 minutes.
Kalif Alhassan missed a cross from Jose Valencia in the 43rd minute after Valencia danced along the end line, past two RSL defenders, and centered the ball but Alhassan couldn't get there in time.
RSL had a chance in the 12th minute when fullback Chris Wingert sent a cross toward midfielder Luis Gil, whose header slid wide of the Portland net.
With a victory at JELD-WEN Field, RSL clinches its sixth-consecutive playoff berth. RSL can also clinch a playoff berth with a draw against the Timbers, but would need either a loss or draw by the San Jose Earthquakes when they take on the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday.
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