When Alan Gordon headed past Jake Gleeson for the game-winner on June 17, the Colorado Rapids’ come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers was their fourth straight success at home. It lifted them to 16 points from 14 games.
This triumph over the Timbers came during a stretch where the Rapids managed four wins in six games. In the two months since, the Rapids have struggled to kick on, managing just six points from the nine games that have followed.
They are now without a win in six, and they head to Providence Park for the first of four road games on the bounce as one of three remaining teams in MLS without success away from home.
The upcoming spell could ultimately decide the Rapids’ fate. The playoff picture is rather blurred, with the side sitting 12 points below the red line. They have 11 games to go, and the road form has to improve.
Their next two games are at unfavorable venues. They are 1-6-0 at Portland, with that solitary positive coming in their first-ever visit back in 2011. The Rapids then stop off in Utah to prepare for Saturday’s second Rocky Mountain Cup clash of the season, against Real Salt Lake. They are 0-8-4 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
But, having dug the hole they find themselves in, it is down to the Rapids to haul themselves out. The Timbers play a second home game in a row, having toppled New York Red Bulls 2-0 last Friday, despite being without Fanendo Adi, Liam Ridgewell, and first-choice goalkeeper Jake Gleeson. They remain a doubt for Wednesday’s game, while Larrys Mabiala is suspended, having been sent off in the game against the Red Bulls.
This is the last home game in a while for the Timbers. They then embark on three road trips themselves, starting with the short trek to Seattle on Sunday.
One man sure to pose a threat is Diego Valeri. He was on target for a fourth successive game last Friday, in equaling his career-best goals tally for a season. He has 14 goals, which repeats the feat achieved in 2016. The Argentine has also reached the 50-goal mark during this stint.
With the quick turnaround, Interim Head Coach Steve Cooke may be tempted to switch things up. Luis Gil came on for his Rapids debut last weekend, replacing Nana Boateng, while Joshua Gatt looked lively in the 21 minutes he was given.
Irrespective of who takes to the field on Wednesday night, the Rapids appreciate the need for a strong start to this run of road games, if the playoff push is to gain any momentum.
TEAM NEWS
Rapids: Zac MacMath (out - knee)
Timbers: Fanendo Adi (questionable - hamstring), Gbenga Arokoyo (out - Achilles), Marco Farfan (questionable - ankle), Jake Gleeson (questionable - hamstring), Larrys Mabiala (out - suspended), Chance Myers (out - hamstring), Liam Ridgewell (questionable - quad)
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Altitude
Radio: Altitude 950; La Invasora 87.7FM (Spanish)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Dave Gantar
Assistant (bench): Jeremy Hanson
Assistant (opposite): Jonathan Johnson
Fourth Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Drew Fischer
