Led by resurgent Cooper, expansion Timbers gearing up for playoff push

By JOSE M. ROMERO

The Kenny Cooper who has showed up in recent matches is exactly the player the Portland Timbers hoped they were getting when they grabbed the veteran forward with their place in the MLS allocation order prior to their expansion season.

The timing of Cooper's resurgence couldn't be better for a team that badly needs wins in order to crash the MLS playoff party.