Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter was full of confidence after his side edged reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy 1-0 in the weekend.
Recent acquisition Maximiliano Urruti scored the only goal at JELD-WEN Field as the Timbers moved to third spot on the Western Conference table in a performance that absolutely delighted the boss.
"It's a big, big step," Porter said. "Obviously each step is important, but this was a big one.
"Our goal is to not just limp into the playoffs, but get in in a good position, hopefully in the top three and avoid the play-in game.
"From that standpoint it was a big step, but it was also a big step for this club moving forward, to continue to prove that we can beat anybody."
He added: "This is not a surprising result, at least for every one of us in the locker room. It may be for other people. This team has a real belief that we can do something special."
