The Colorado Rapids are set to take on the Portland Timbers in their first Audi 2021 MLS Cup playoff match on Thursday, November 25th. The Thanksgiving Day semifinal matchup will be the first in MLS history. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM MT at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
Portland advances to the Western Conference semifinal after defeating Minnesota 3-1 and will face the Rapids in front of a burgundy crowd.
Current Form
After Sunday's quarterfinal match, the Timbers have just four days to travel to Colorado and prepare for the historic Thanksgiving Day game. Their round one matchup defeat of Minnesota on Sunday afternoon was aided by a goal from Larrys Mabiala and a Sebastián Blanco brace.
Past Matchups
The Rapids went 1-0-1 against Portland in the 2021 regular season after the two sides drew 2-2 at Providence Park in September and Colorado took a 2-0 decision at home in October. In the most recent result, Dominique Badji, Diego Rubio and Braian Galván led the charge for the Rapids as Galván assisted both strikers to ensure a victory and clinch a spot in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
On the Pitch
- This is the fourth time Portland has reached this stage of the playoffs, most recently occurring in 2018 when the Timbers made it all the way to the MLS Cup Championship match against Atlanta United, where they ultimately dropped a 2-0 result.
- Felipe Mora, Darion Asprilla, Yimmi Chara and Sebastián Blanco lead Portland’s attack with a combined 36 goals and 23 assists on the season between them all.
- In their Decision Day 3-0 blanking of Austin FC, the Timbers finished the regular season with 55 points and a 17-13-4 record.
- Colorado and Portland have never faced one another in the playoffs in league history.
