(4) Portland Timbers (17,13,4, 55 points) vs (1) Colorado Rapids (17, 7, 10, 61 points)
Thursday November 25, 2021, KO 1:30 PM
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Western Conference Semifinal Game
Portland Timbers Briefly
What a win over Minnesota over the weekend, breaking the Loons domination they had over the Portland Timbers ever since they entered the league back in 2017.
However, now they are going to Colorado and face off against a side that had a grand year and finished first in the Western Conference and coming with the label of favorites over the Timbers.
As you recall, the Timbers in their last game lost to the Rapids 2-0, but that was then and now the tables have turned and this team is ready to display another gem of a game on the road.
With the way this team is playing lately, and with most of its playmakers healthy and motivated we may see an upset in the Mile High City.
For Giovanni Savarese, the man is a believer and whatever starting eleven he sends to the field, his team is ready to take the challenge in this postseason, one game at a time. This team comes with a lot of resilience and perseverance.
There is no turning back for these Portland Timbers, after a tough season, this team has turned it around and is now ready to rock the foundations of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with another display of great football.
Projected Lineup:
GK Steve Clark, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Colorado Rapids Briefly
Robin Fraser is one happy man after the results delivered by his Rapids in this 2021 season.
Coming as overall favorites to win the conference and maybe the league, Colorado is finally seeing some action after having a first-round bye by finishing first in the Western Conference.
Still, nothing is really written for them as this can be anybody’s game, will the rest affect them by making them more vulnerable to an inspired Timbers playing lately a great game of ball?
The question arises for the more-rested Rapids versus a Timbers side coming from Sunday’s game, a little tired, but very motivated to deliver an upset over the Colorado side.
One way to find out on Thanksgiving Day, who will emerge as the overall victor?
Projected Lineup:
GK William Yarborough, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty; Steven Beitashur, Collen Warner, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta; Diego Rubio, Mark Anthony- Kaye; Jonathan Lewis
Meetings
10/23/2021 Colorado Rapids 2-0 Portland Timbers
09/15/2021 Portland Timbers 2-2 Colorado Rapids
11/04/2020 Portland Timbers 0-1 Colorado Rapids
Line
One tough game for the Portland Timbers, but in the end nothing is written for this match
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
