In 1975, Portland Timbers general manager Don Paul welcomed 19,000 fans to Soccer City, USA. Since then, the franchise has created a history filled with memorable moments.

There have been unforgettable goals, like Alan Gordon's three-goal performance in 2004 that is fondly remembered as the "Alan Gordon Chainsaw Massacre" because Gordon decided to jump the barrier, grab Timber Jim's chainsaw and cut himself his own log slab after scoring the game-winner.

There have been redeeming Cascadia Cup victories, like the Timbers' 2012 win that managed to give the team and fans some glimmer of hope in an otherwise demoralizing season.

And there have been incredible victories over the Seattle Sounders, none more satisfying than beating rival Seattle in last year's MLS Cup playoffs (though that was not the first time the Timbers had knocked Seattle out of the playoffs).

Now, the Timbers have a chance to add to their list of memorable moments, if they can manage to earn an elusive playoff berth this season.

The Timbers have been playing catch up for most of the year after failing to win a match over their first eight games of the season. If they were to make playoffs, the Timbers would be just the second team in MLS history to earn a playoff berth after going winless in their first eight games.

With two games left in the regular season, the Timbers (11-9-12, 45 points) sit just one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps (11-8-13, 46 points) in sixth place in the Western Conference.

Vancouver controls Portland's playoff fate. Even if the Timbers win their final two games, the Whitecaps will need to drop points in their last two matches for the Timbers to earn the final playoff spot.

But the Timbers are focused on themselves and picking up two wins in their final two games to put themselves in the best position to make playoffs, Timbers coach Caleb Porter said.

That starts with the difficult task of beating Real Salt Lake Friday.

Salt Lake has been a splinter for the Timbers since they joined MLS in 2011. The Timbers are 2-5-3 against Salt Lake since entering MLS. They've also lost two playoff games and a U.S. Open Cup match to Salt Lake over that time. Heading into this season, the Timbers had not beaten RSL since April 30, 2011.

But when the Timbers last met RSL in Salt Lake on June 7, it was Portland that came away with the 3-1 victory. That recent success against Salt Lake will give the Timbers confidence heading into Friday's match, Porter said.

Both the Timbers and Salt Lake will have a lot to play for Friday night. While the Timbers are desperately trying to earn a playoff spot, Salt Lake is trying to remain in third place in the Western Conference to avoid the play-in game between the fourth and fifth places teams.

If the Timbers lose, they could be eliminated from playoff contention as early as Saturday, if Vancouver beats the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night. A tie would also put the Timbers on the brink of playoff elimination.

But, if the Timbers can manage to beat a tough RSL squad, they will take a lot of confidence into next week's final showdown against FC Dallas and put massive pressure on Vancouver to win its final two games.

The Timbers aren't out of playoff contention yet. They still have a chance to add another historic moment to Timbers lore.

-- Jamie Goldberg | @jamiebgoldberg