Storyline to Watch: The Timbers are riding a historic hot streak
After getting off to a slow start in 2018, the Portland Timbers (5-3-2) have extended their current winning streak to five games, matching their most consecutive victories since becoming an MLS club in 2011. This past Saturday, they edged Los Angeles Football Club 2-1 at Providence Park.
What is feeding their recent success? Some may point to the return of Timbers' starting goalkeeper, Jeff Attinella, who reclaimed starting spot after dealing with a thigh injury causing him to miss the first six games of the season. Since his return, Attinella and company have only conceded one goal and more importantly walked away with three clean sheets. During the stretch, the 29-year-old went 404 minutes without allowing a goal, the longest-ever shutout streak ever by a Timbers goalkeeper in Major League Soccer.
Another factor to consider in Portland's recent success; first-year head coach Giovanni Savarese has made a bit of a tactical switch moving to a 4-3-2-1 or "Christmas Tree" formation, which has helped to create a strong and compact defense. This formation allows Portland to be not only defensively solid but allows them to play on their front foot, where playmakers Fanendo Adi, Diego Valeri and Sebastián Blanco can go forward and implement Savarese's high press. This formation has proven to work well for the Timbers, as they have deployed it in four of their last five games.
Player to Watch: Sebastián Blanco
Sebastián Blanco is turning out to be a dangerous force for the Timbers in the first half of 2018, finding the net five times in 10 games while adding an assist. Two of those goals came in the midst of the Timbers' five-game winning streak.
Most recently, it was the Designated Player's late heroics that secured the Portland's 1-0 victory against their Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders. That goal came just four minutes before full time, when Portland's Number 10 lifted a cool finish over Stefan Frei in front of the home fans.
The midfielder, known for his technical ability and quality decision-making in the final third, was brought to Portland in February 2017 after making over 200 appearances in the Argentine Primera División, as well as brief spells in the Ukrainian Premier League and English Premier League. Blanco made a club-high 33 appearances (32 starts) last season, notching eight goals and eight assists.
Expect to see Blanco present in Portland's attack against the Rapids.
Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers - Head-to-Head
The Rapids have met the Portland Timbers 18 times in the MLS regular season, resulting in a 7-8-3 record. The Portland Timbers are currently sitting comfortably above the red line in the third spot in the West with a 5-3-2 overall record. The Rapids, meanwhile, are coming off a 4-0 loss at Yankee Stadium to New York City FC that sees their season record sit at 2-6-2 overall.
The last time the two sides met in August of 2017, Portland came out on top 2-1 at Providence Park.
Although the Timbers have the edge in the overall head-to-head series, they have only won once at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. They have also only managed one goal in their last three visits to Commerce City.
- Head-to-Head Overall: Colorado Rapids 7 wins, 23 goals | Portland Timbers 8 wins, 22 goals | 3 ties
- Head-to-head at Colorado: Colorado Rapids 6 wins, 19 goals | Portland Timbers 1 win, 8 goals | 3 ties
- Head-to-head Previous Meeting: Portland Timbers 2, Colorado Rapids 1 (August 23, 2017)
