Timbers is among the MLS teams fighting for postseason position with three playoff spots remaining

As the MLS postseason approaches, DC United is among the few teams still waiting for a playoff spot with two games remaining in the regular season.

While DC United are loudly fighting for a place, striker Christian Benteke has almost secured the Golden Boot for most goals this season.

Benteke, the Belgian striker who played in the Premier League for 10 years before joining DC United in 2022, has scored 22 goals this season, three more than LAFC's Denis Bouanga's 19 and four more than Inter Miami's Luis Suarez at 18.

Benteke, 33, has scored three goals in United's last two games. He scored a brace in a 2-2 draw with Columbus last weekend and scored in the team's 4-3 comeback win over Nashville on Wednesday night. He also has seven assists.

“I'm enjoying this moment because I know I work so hard on and off the field. I’m not surprised at all,” Benteke said. “And I would just keep doing what I was doing, just working for the team and if I had the chance to score that would be great for me. But I won’t put any pressure on it.”

But keeping the season alive is just as important for Benteke. DC United is currently 11th in the standings, but is tied with Philadelphia Union and ninth-place Toronto for the final playoff spot. Montreal is eighth, three points ahead of this group.

After the regular season concludes with Decision Day on October 19, the eighth and ninth teams from each conference will play in a single-elimination game to determine who will face the conference leaders in a best-of-three first round becomes.

A total of 15 teams have secured their place in the playoffs. There are only three spots left – two in the Eastern Conference and one in the West. And of course, most teams are still fighting for playoff positions.

In the East, Inter Miami have already secured top spot and secured the Supporters Shield.

“We are a resilient team. We don't give up. We went through so many difficult times over the course of the season with injuries, red cards and also bad luck,” said Benteke. “So yeah, we won’t give up, that’s for sure.”

Benteke, who had spells at Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace, is one of the main reasons United are still in the running.

“His leadership, his commitment to the style of play – he gives us direction a lot,” said coach Troy Lesesne. “He does a lot of work against the ball. It would be easy for a guy like that to make a playoff here or there; He doesn’t.”

In the Western Conference, currently led by the LA Galaxy, the Portland Timbers are currently in ninth place for the final spot, one point behind Minnesota.

Portland suffered a 1-0 home loss to Austin on Wednesday night. A win would have secured the Timbers a spot in the postseason after missing the cut the past two seasons.

Austin's win means it remains in the hunt for a spot, six points behind Portland. If Austin wins its final two games, it's still possible.

“We know where we are in the season and we know what the chances are and everything,” said midfielder Daniel Pereira. “But we try to win every game and score as many goals as possible.”

Austin FC has one more away game against the LA Galaxy on Saturday before closing out the season at home against the Colorado Rapids.

The Timbers play at home against FC Dallas on Sunday before closing the season in Seattle against the rival Sounders. They need a win in one of these two games to clinch the title.

“I think we've already missed a really good chance to get into the playoffs. Now we have another game on Sunday that will be really important and we decide to keep working,” said Timbers captain Diego Chara.

— Anne M. Peterson | AP Football Writer