The Colorado Rapids (14-10-6, 52 points) continue their homestand at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, October 23 as they take on the Portland Timbers (14-4-12, 46 points). Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.
Past Matchups
Colorado and Portland have only played each other once in the 2021 regular season, battling to a 2-2 draw in Providence Park on September 15. Jonathan Lewis and Michael Barrios sought to give the Rapids the upper hand in the 64th and 87th minute, but the Timbers equalized after each goal to give each team a point apiece.
The Timbers haven’t traveled to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park since March 2019 for SnowClasico, the coldest match in MLS history with a kickoff temperature of 18 degrees. Rapids striker Andre Shinyashiki scored his first goal with the club in stoppage time to equalize with Portland for a 3-3 draw in the season opener.
Current Form
Despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead at halftime, the Timbers gave up three second-half goals in their recent 3-2 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on October 20. Combined with Portland’s 2-1 defeat to LA Galaxy the game prior, the Timbers have given up a lead in their last two games. The loss to Galaxy ended Portland’s eight-game unbeaten streak, and head coach Giovanni Savarese’s side currently stands in the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference, trailing Colorado by six points. Key Rapids attacking forces like Kellyn Acosta, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Jonathan Lewis will look to capitalize on weak spots in Portland’s second-half defensive performance on Saturday night.
Key Players to Watch
Yimmi Chara, Darion Asprilla and Felipa Mora lead Portland’s attack in the final third. Chara contributed to both of the Timbers’ goals on Wednesday night, first recording his sixth goal of the season and then assisting Asprilla for Portland’s second and final goal of the night. Currently, Asprilla is the only Timbers player to appear in all 30 regular season matches in 2021, a record Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry also holds. Chara, Asprilla and Mora’s combined 26 goals from 51 shots on target all factor into the Timbers’ league-best 20 consecutive games with a goal scored.
On the Pitch
- Portland currently holds a 5-2-8 record on the road
- After falling to Vancouver Whitecaps and LA Galaxy in its last two matchups, the Timbers have given up a total of five goals after the half in two games
- Portland’s Josecarlos Van Rankin has conceded two game-winning penalty kicks in the same number of matches
- Colorado clinched a playoff berth in 2020 and 2016 after beating Portland 1-0 both years
