The Portland Timbers host Minnesota United at Providence Park on Saturday, Sept. 5, trailing the Loons by one point for the Western Conference's final playoff spot.

Minnesota (7-7-8, 29 points) holds that spot after drawing 3-3 with Orlando City on Aug. 29. Portland (8-10-4, 28 points) needs a win to leapfrog the Loons and strengthen its postseason position heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

The Timbers dropped a 2-1 decision to Austin FC on Aug. 29 in front of 20,952 fans at Providence Park. Forward Antony converted an 89th-minute penalty to equalize, but Austin's Oleksandr Svatok tapped in a stoppage-time winner in the 94th minute. It was Portland's second loss in eight matches since the World Cup break, according to OPB.

"It was two different games in each half," Timbers midfielder Jose Caicedo said after the Aug. 29 loss, according to the Timbers' official recap.

Head coach Martí Cifuentes, who replaced Phil Neville in July after Neville was fired in May, called himself "certainly disappointed" following the Austin result. Cifuentes will look for answers from an attack that has shown life in recent weeks. Kristoffer Velde posted a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over San Diego FC on Aug. 20. Antony, Ariel Lassiter and Gage Guerra all featured against Austin, giving Cifuentes options up front.

The Timbers also lost 2-0 to Minnesota at Allianz Field earlier this season. The Loons, managed by Cameron Knowles, enter Saturday's match per Prost International holding the ninth spot in the West.

Saturday's contest is the second of a three-match homestand for Portland. It is designated Goose Hollow Night. The first 10,000 fans through the gates receive a Civic the Goose Keychain Plushie, and all fans get 15% off concessions.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass, with local radio on KNRK 94.7 FM in English and La GranD 93.5 FM/1150 AM in Spanish.