DICK'S Sporting Goods Park will be the location this Saturday for Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers. This is an important match for both teams, whereby the Rapids are trying to seal their place among the top four in the Western Conference, whereas Portland comes into town fighting for life in the MLS playoff race. Colorado comes into the match on a two-game winning streak while Portland, fresh off a break, is eyeing ways to get momentum back for an upheaval up the standings.
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Rapids: Eyeing Top 4 Spot
Colorado Rapids have been flying so far, sitting fourth in the Western Conference with 44 points. Following a season of ups and downs, the team has found their rhythm of late, as in the last five league matches, they have recorded three victories. That dramatic 3-2 win against FC Dallas in the last round was a perfect example of how mentally tough this team is.
The hero of that victory was Darren Yapi, who became a late-goal-scoring specialist. Only 19 years old, this young forward showed excellent mental balance in the most emotive moments of high tension: three stoppage-time goals this season, to be precise. His knack for finding the back of the net in crunch time has made him a key asset in the Rapids' attack.
Stand-out performer number two is Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro: with 13 goals and 5 assists in MLS play, Navarro has hit peak form and is one of the most important players in the team. He has been excellent in recent games, recording three goals and an assist across all competitions to pin his place as Colorado's major attacking weapon.
A Balanced Squad
It isn't just the attack that is clicking into gear for Colorado. Another factor in the resurgence has been their solid defense. From Lalas Abubakar to Andreas Maxsø, putting up a sturdy backline has held off opponents in recent matches. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who shone bright in the Leagues Cup, also became another cornerstone of this defense. His performances were a reason for such pride, especially in the knockout stages of the tournament when he helped his team eliminate Club América to seal their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The midfielder has been great in Colorado's performance, with Djordje Mihailovic and Cole Bassett being the stars of the team. The first has scored 10 goals and made 10 assists in the current season, while the latter has netted 9 times with 7 assists. This tandem has been responsible for the team's creativity, connecting defense to attack by using skill and steadiness where required.
Portland Timbers: A New Chance to Climb
On the other hand, Portland Timbers head into the encounter desperate for points that will see them climb the ladder. The team is sitting eighth in the Western Conference with 40 points but has shown flashes of potential that they can pull up surprises. Inconsistency on the road has been the problem for the Timbers in recent outings, having managed to win just one of their last five away matches.
However, Portland is fresh off a massive 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the Cascadia Cup, which has rejuvenated the side. Juan Mosquera was the star of the show, scoring the winner to seal all three points at Providence Park. Perhaps for Portland, the break may have come at just the right time to recharge their batteries ahead of a big MLS playoff push.
Head-to-Head and the Home Advantage
Rapids historically have the close and tight matches with Portland Timbers, but this story is different in Colorado games. Home team has an excellent record of 8W-1D-5L against Portland at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. With over 5,200 feet altitude and a raucous home crowd, the stadium is highly pivotal to Colorado.
And the factor of playing at home has been a difference for the Rapids this season. With five wins in the stadium, energy makes them work better: the pressure and controlling the tempo of the game against a Portland side that's struggled in Colorado throughout the years.