Mayor Mike McGinn and Portland Mayor Charlie Hales have a bet going on the outcome of the Western Conference Semifinals series between Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers FC. The stakes are high: The mayor whose team loses the series will have to wear the scarf of the winning team, and send a case of local microbrew to the winning mayor.
“Sounders fans have been looking forward to this for a long time,” says McGinn. “We want an MLS Cup and this year the road to it goes through Portland. Seattle has the best fans in the country and we’re excited to cheer for the Sounders this weekend.”
The Conference Semifinals begins Saturday, with the Sounders hosting the Timbers at CenturyLink Field. The teams will play the second game in Portland on November 7 — two days after Seattle voters decide whether McGinn will keep his job as mayor.
According to MLS playoff rules, the team that scores the most goals will advance to the Western Conference Championship.