Timbers shut out in D.C., 2-0

WASHINGTON — Steve Birnbaum and Luciano Acosta scored first-half goals and D.C. United beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night at sweltering RFK Stadium.

Birnbaum’s second goal of the season put D.C. on the board in the seventh minute. Bobby Boswell reached Lloyd Sam’s corner and headed it to foot of Birnbaum inside the box for his second goal in a week.

Acosta took a short chip from Patrick Mullins in tight quarters, got the ball to his feet and dinked it over sliding keeper Jake Gleeson in the 29th minute.

Winless in the previous six games, D.C. (6-8-9) vaulted over New England and Orlando City into playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Portland (8-9-8) holds the final qualification spot in the Western Conference, a point up on San Jose, which has two games in hand. Despite a big advantage in possession time, Portland managed just six shots and only put two on target.

With the temperature near 100 degrees at kickoff there were regularly scheduled hydration breaks.