Football News | Wild-card wins for Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers

An exciting first night of play-off action in the United States

The Chicago Fire and the Portland Timbers will both feature in the MLS Cup Playoffs after 3-1 wild-card wins over Orlando City and Real Salt Lake, respectively.

Author | Peter Jones

A closer look at how Chicago progressed

Chicago had not appeared in the postseason since 2017. They will take on the Supporters' Shield victors, the Philadelphia Union, in a best-of-three, first-round series. 

This follows a commanding home win on Wednesday. Jack Elliott, Hugo Cuypers, and Brian Gutierrez all went close for Chicago in the first half. Their breakthrough finally arrived three minutes into the second period through Gutierrez's cultured finish.

Gutierrez then struck the post twice. Chicago added two more goals within 19 minutes. Cuypers bundled home from close range and then drilled a powerful finish in for his brace.

Adrian Marin pulled one back for the Lions, but it was too little, too late as Chicago earned a deserved victory, having fired off 24 shots to their opponents' six.

A great night for Portland Timbers 

Portland fans created a fantastic atmosphere

Portland will face San Diego FC in the first round following their first postseason victory since 2021, overcoming Real Salt Lake at Providence Park.

Felipe Mora's brace guided Phil Neville's team into a 2-0 first-half lead, as he twice scored on the rebound from his own saved headers in the opening 35 minutes.

Justen Glad got Real Salt Lake back within one almost immediately, scoring with a looping header from Diogo Goncalves' cross, and Victor Olatunji missed a golden chance to drag them level on the hour mark.

Brayan Vera thought he had equalised with a delightful free-kick in the 76th minute, only for the goal to be chalked off due to Rwan Cruz carelessly moving within a yard of the Portland wall, and the result was settled by Kamal Miller's header six minutes later.

After the match, Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja told the media: “Frustrated and disappointed just to end up losing in this first game of the playoffs. We have pain knowing that we could have done much better.”

Dates for your diaries

Now the line-up for the post season competition has been confirmed, the key dates can be seen below. Last year, the final was won by La Galaxy in what was a dramatic match against New York Red Bulls. 

• Round One Best-of-3 Series: Friday, October 24 - Sunday, November 9
• Conference Semifinals: Saturday, November 22 - Sunday, November 23
• Conference Finals: Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30
• MLS Cup presented by Audi: Saturday, December 6