In their last road match of the 2017 season, United fell 4-0 to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The win allowed the Timbers to clinch a berth in the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
After United's back line worked to keep Portland off the scoreboard for almost the entirety of the first half, the Timbers found their breakthrough just before the halftime whistle. A short pass from defender Chris Korb to Steve Clark forced the goalkeeper to make a tackle on Darren Mattocks, for which the referee awarded Portland a penalty. Diego Valeri finished from the spot confidently for his 21st goal of the season, giving the Timbers the lead heading into the break.
The Timbers carried the momentum into the second half, challenging United's back line with consistent waves of pressure. Alvas Powell and Sebastián Blanco added security for the Timbers with three well-taken goals, as Portland used their home-field advantage to close out the match. While Paul Arriola, Patrick Mullins, Zoltán Stieber, and Luciano Acosta each found looks in front of goal, United were unable to find a breakthrough of their own.
The Black-and-Red close out the season and their RFK tenure on Sunday, October 22 against the New York Red Bulls.
