The Portland Timbers are still alive.The team's pulse was slow and faint just a few weeks ago after a harsh loss to Sporting K.C., but now they are clearly alive and well.The Timbers have gone unbeaten in their last four matches and kept clean sheets in their last three.If the season were to end today, they would find themselves in a playoff position—an absolutely tremendous feat for the MLS newcomers.Portland came out Friday night with incredible energy. They were determined. This was nothing new for games at Jeld-Wen Field, but with every game vital, it was important that they didn't play timid and flat.This energy turned into an early goal from Diego Chara (9th minute) off a beautiful Lovel Palmer cross. Chara just tapped it past Revolution keeper Matt Reis in a one-on-one situation.Kenny Cooper had some amazing opportunities to score early but failed to capitalize on them until the 32nd minute. Mike Chabala hit a wide-open cross from the left side towards a streaking Cooper, who was running like a diesel truck toward the goal. Cooper drilled it into the back of the net off his left knee, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.It was a brilliant first ...