New York Red Bulls consolidated their grip on an MLS Cup place after beating Portland Timbers 2-0 at Providence Park to return top of the Eastern Conference.

It took the best part of 22 minutes for either side to threaten, and it came for the visitors when midfielder Sean Davis drilled narrowly wide of the far post.

Portland gradually grew into the contest and would have moved ahead shortly before the half-hour mark if not for goalkeeper Luis Robles, who did well to keep out Diego Valeri.

Robles's stop proved crucial, as Felipe Martins thumped a long-range effort past Adam Kwarasey to seemingly give the visitors a one-goal lead at the break.

However, it got even better for the Red Bulls as Damien Perrinelle climbed above Alvas Powell to loop his header over Kwarasey in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

On 64 minutes, Valeri came agonisingly close to throwing the hosts a vital lifeline, but his effort rolled just past the post as Red Bulls closed out the win from there.

New York, who also have two games in hand, sit top of the Eastern Conference, eight points clear of fifth-placed Toronto.