Spencer: Timbers must collect every last point we can

While the Portland Timbers’ playoff hopes may have come crashing down with New York’s 1-0 victory Thursday over Philadelphia, head coach John Spencer still insists the motivation for his team’s season finale against Real Salt Lake on Saturday (9 pm ET; watch LIVE online) remains the same. "We felt that Philly had a good chance to get a win against the Red Bulls, but it wasn’t to be," Spencer said in a Friday morning conference call. "I think for a first season, for us, it’s been a good season. We’ve got one more game against Real Salt Lake and we want to go out and get a win and end the season with as many points as we possibly can get." The Timbers needed New York to lose or draw against Philadelphia for their match at RSL to have postseason meaning. But by the time the Timbers landed in Salt Lake City – having followed the game online as they traveled from Washington, D.C., where they tied Wednesday against D.C. United – the Timbers knew their chance to become only the second MLS expansion team since 1998 to qualify for the playoffs was over. "You can’t fault our effort," Spencer said. "You can’t fault our effort throughout the season. For a first-year team to get 41 points with a possibility to get 44, I think has been a good season. A little bit [short] of a great season, not getting into the playoffs." Spencer said the team still practiced Friday morning as if it were just another game, a brand of professionalism the first-time head coach has preached all season. "We could look at the last game as, ‘You know what? It’s our last game. There’s nothing riding on it,’" he said. "But there is. It’s three points riding on it. For us, we’re going to go out and try to win the game. We’ll be putting the strongest 11 that I feel that is capable of winning the game." Portland will be missing forward Darlington Nagbe, who also missed the game against United with a calf injury, as well as midfielder Sal Zizzo, who injured his knee in the Timbers’ 2-0 loss Oct. 14 to Houston. There will be a lot on the line for Real Salt Lake, as well. A win will ensure they retain the third position in the Western Conference, which guarantees them a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament if RSL, the LA Galaxy or the Seattle Sounders advance to the MLS Cup final. But the seeming disparity in the stakes for the two sides won’t deter Spencer. "You put on a Timbers uniform, you go out and you try to win the game," Spencer said.

DC want to extend De Rosario's contract

WASHINGTON – While one game remains in D.C. United's 2011 campaign, big decisions lay ahead for the franchise's looming offseason. The future of midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and forward Charlie Davies are two of the biggest decisions confronting D.C.'s front office. De Rosario has one year left – a club-held option – on his current contract, although United plan on trying to offer him a longer deal. "We'll sit down in the coming weeks with Dwayne and his representative and our goal is to negotiate an extension," general manager Dave Kasper told reporters at training on Friday. Since joining D.C. at the end of June, De Rosario has scored 13 goals and added seven assists. The Canadian international remains focused on Saturday's final game against Sporting Kansas City, but admitted to the importance of securing something more permanent. "It's huge," De Rosario said. "That's what I always wanted, especially as a family guy, I have to do what's right not only for me, but for my family as well. When you talk about contract negotiations, all of these things you have to take and bear in mind. The main focus right now is finishing the season out on a good note and then we'll deal with all that stuff after." D.C. also plan on making a decision about Davies. His loan from French club Sochaux expires at the end of the calendar year, and the club has an option to purchase the contract for a fee reported to be somewhere north of $1 million. United can also try to negotiate a lower fee or another year-long loan. Davies has 11 goals in 28 appearances on the year. "We need to sit down internally, and with Charlie and discuss his future," Kasper said.

De Rosario: Missing playoffs again "tough to swallow"

WASHINGTON — For most of the second half, it was quite clear that D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario wasn’t operating at 100 percent. With pain in his right shin, he labored through the final 45 but still managed to score in D.C.’s 1-1 draw with Portland. "I’ve actually been kicked in the same spot about three games in a row now, and at halftime I didn’t think I would be able to make it," he said after the game. "Sometimes you just have to suck it up and play for your team and that’s what I tried to do." But it wasn’t enough. The result eliminated United from playoff contention, and De Rosario took that consequence personally. "Another year for me that I’m not going to make the playoffs," he said. "It’s tough to swallow, to be honest." The Canadian international has won four MLS Cups in his career: two with San Jose in 2001 and 2003, and two with Houston in 2006 and 2007. But he has now missed out on the postseason three years in a row. He spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with Toronto FC, both years failing to reach the postseason. He started this season again with Toronto then was traded to New York in April before being acquired by D.C. in June. "It was disheartening," De Rosario, whose career-high 15th goal pushed him into the lead in the Golden Boot race. "But it isn’t [disheartening] in the sense that we showed some fight. It was another learning opportunity for a lot of us. We’re happy that the supporters stuck with us through the whole game, which means a lot to us as players." Kitchen at D-mid Right back, center back, holding midfield. For Perry Kitchen, it doesn’t matter where he plays, just as long as he’s on the field. On Wednesday night, with the club in a do-or-die situation, head coach Ben Olsen entrusted the 19-year-old with the starting spot at defensive midfield in place of Clyde Simms. "I think I was put in there to just try to keep the game connected, I know it got a little crazy at the end with everybody pushing numbers forward," Kitchen said after the game. His performance drew rave reviews from Olsen. "It’s exciting to have him in this organization," he said. "He’s a big-time player and he’s got a huge heart. It’s really nice to see him play."

DC need to bounce back after painful Chicago collapse

WASHINGTON – Very little has gone right for D.C. United in the month of October. Including Saturday’s last-minute defeat at the hands of the Chicago Fire, United have lost all three games this month and four straight overall. The slump has them firmly on the outside looking in on the MLS Cup playoff picture. Despite all that, D.C. remain alive and upbeat. They are quickly putting the Chicago game out of sight and out of mind as they prepare for a must-win match on Wednesday against Portland (8 pm ET, watch LIVE online). WATCH: D.C. 1, CHI 2 "We had to get over [the Chicago loss] pretty quickly because we have an important game," midfielder Clyde Simms told MLSsoccer.com. "There’s nothing you can do about that now. It’s in the past. We’re just looking forward to tomorrow night, taking care of business against Portland." Added head coach Ben Olsen: "We’re fine. [The players] have short memories." During the recent stretch, D.C. have kept games close and haven’t been shut out. And while they haven’t had too much trouble hitting the back of the net, there wasn’t one particular issue causing losses. "I think we’ve had different problems in different games," Simms said. "In Philadelphia it was the ball over the top. In Vancouver it wasn’t getting pressure out wide to crosses. It’s been various things and we’ve had a little bit of bad luck." "We’ve just got to look forward," he said. "We feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of learning from mistakes this season. We’ve just got to keep pushing." Regardless of the performances in October up to this point, D.C. remain confident. They would still qualify for the playoffs with two wins this week combined with a New York loss to Philadelphia on Thursday, provided Portland cooperates by losing one of their two games or drawing both. And for the time being, looking forward to that is what fuels United. That's more productive than dwelling on the struggles of the recent past. "We have some very experienced players on this team and guys that have gotten a lot of time this season," Simms said. "We’re definitely confident as a team and we know we can do it."

Vote for AT&T Goal of the Week, Wk. 31

Cast your ballot today for your favorite goal of Week 31! The winner is determined by the total number of votes cast online and via text and is announced on Fridays. Vote online or text goal code to 22442. Voting runs from noon ET on Mondays until 11:59 pm PT on Thursdays.

Recap: 64K watch Keller shine in storybook Sounders win

SEATTLE — On a night in desperate need of a storybook ending, the Seattle Sounders were more than happy to oblige. A massive crowd of 64,140 — the third largest standalone crowd in MLS history — at CenturyLink Field came to pay tribute to the Sounders’ retiring goalkeeper Kasey Keller and were treated to a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Seattle 2, San Jose 1 The home side overcame a plucky San Jose side and a 24th-minute strike from Chris Wondolowski, getting goals Sammy Ochoa and Fredy Montero in the 82nd minute and 87th minute, respectively. With his 15th goal on the season, Wondolowski, the 2010 Golden Boot winner, drew level with D.C. United’s Dwayne De Rosario for the lead in this year’s scoring race. As if following a script, the comeback would not have been possible if not for the heroics of Keller. The 41-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves, none of which were bigger than a multi-save sequence in the 65th minute. Early on, though, it seemed as if it would be a bittersweet evening for the Sounders and their fans. The Quakes, eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago, pushed the tempo and created several chances for themselves. Wondolowski gave the Earthquakes the lead in the 24th minute when he ran in alone, collecting Rafael Baca’s perfect through pass and beating Keller with a well-placed shot in the lower left corner. After the goal, the Quakes continued to push for more, only to be thwarted by Keller. The Sounders keeper dove to his right to deny Wondolowski on a low skillful header in the 43rd minute. And Wondolowski looked to have a second on a freekick in the 61st minute, but the goal was called back for the freekick’s being taken too quickly. Meanwhile, the Sounders still could not find the energy needed to get back in the game. They failed to create many full chances or even half chances until a few events saw the momentum shift. First, talismanic midfielder Mauro Rosales came on in the 64th minute to make his first appearance in nearly a month, and then Keller pulled off his series of acrobatic saves in the 65th. After Patrick Ianni’s poor pass, Keller was forced to come well off his line in order to beat the Quakes’ Khari Stephenson to the ball. Wondolowski then pounced on the loose ball and fired a shot from the left side which Keller staved off with a diving save. He then made a final block on Simon Dawkins’ follow-up before the defense finally cleared the danger. WATCH: Keller postmatch ceremonies The Sounders took advantage of their sudden ascendency and hit paydirt in the 82nd minute when Rosales, who suffered a sprained MCL against D.C. United on Sept. 17, found substitute Sammy Ochoa with a long through ball. The summer acquisition forward beat Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch to record his first goal since joining the Sounders. Five minutes later, when most expected the match to end in a draw, the Sounders snagged the lead through Fredy Montero’s 12th goal of the season. Lamar Neagle found Montero, who barely beat the offside trap, and Colombian attacker calmly beat the defenseless Busch. The result does nothing to change the standings, as Seattle remain in second place in the Western Conference, four points behind LA. They host Monterrey on Oct. 18 in CONCACAF Champions League action. San Jose welcome Dallas on Oct. 22 in their final match of the season.   Scoring Summary: SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 15 (Rafael Baca 3) 24 SEA -- Sammy Ochoa 1 (Mauro Rosales 13) 82 SEA -- Fredy Montero 12 (Lamar Neagle 2, Brad Evans 4) 87 Lineups: San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour, Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Simon Dawkins, Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Rafael Baca, Chris Wondolowski, Khari Stephenson.

Recap: Houston take a big step with 2-0 win at Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Houston Dynamo climbed a rung up the playoff ladder with a rough and tumble 2-0 road win Friday against the Portland Timbers. In the process, they dealt a major blow to Portland, who had been nipping at Houston’s heels in the postseason race. The Dynamo jumped over New York, Columbus and Sporting KC into the second place in the East with 46 points from 33 games. Portland, meanwhile, remain on the outside looking in with 40 points from their 32 contests. With rain falling throughout the Timbers’ home finale in front of 20,323 fans at JELD-WEN Field, there was clearly no love lost between the two teams as they combined for 30 fouls and two yellow cards. After a back-and-forth first half hour, Houston got on the board first in the 36th minute. A Lovel Palmer tackle on Carlo Costly at the right corner of the penalty area gave the Dynamo a free kick, and as they have all season, the men in orange were able to capitalize. Defender Andre Hainault got a touch on Brad Davis’ service, nodding past Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins. The Timbers cried foul, as midfielder Sal Zizzo – who had been dispossessed in the lead-up to Palmer’s foul – was off receiving treatment when the goal was scored. The raw play continued in the second half as Houston midfielder Danny Cruz went hard into Timbers defender Mike Chabala, sending him sprawling to the turf. The play drew a yellow and Chabala had to gather himself on the sidelines briefly before coming back in. Houston put home the capper in the 59th minute in spectacular fashion when Cruz drove a left-footed blast from 30-yards out into the top corner of the goal. Portland’s desperate attempts to claw back into it went by the board when a Palmer cross to Eric Brunner deflected off Costly and nearly trickeled in before it was secured by a diving Tally Hall in the 64th minute. Minutes later, a clean Kenny Cooper header was pushed wide. Then, at the death, a David Horst header banged off the goalpost right before the final whistle blew. Portland (11-14-7) do possess a game in hand over Houston and Colorado. They’ll play at D.C. United on October 19 before concluding the season at Real Salt Lake on October 22. Houston (11-9-13) wrap up their season on October 23 at home against the LA Galaxy. Scoring Summary: HOU -- Andre Hainault 1 (Brad Davis 15) 36 HOU -- Danny Cruz 2 (Luiz Camargo 2) 59  Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe, Danny Cruz, Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo (Je-Vaughn Watson 77), Brad Davis (Colin Clark 74), Calen Carr (Will Bruin 81), Carlo Costly.