(9) Portland Timbers (2,2,5, 11 points) vs (10) Colorado Rapids (2, 3, 3, 9 points)
Saturday April 30, 2022, KO 6:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM EST
Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Portland Timbers Briefly
As the adage states, defense wins games and so far, the Portland backfield has stood its ground with two consecutive scoreless draws that have given its starting keeper clean sheets. Still, the only problem is the lack of an effective offensive attack that can seal that perfect match.
For manager Giovanni Savarese, the experiment has not yet yielded the results he has envisioned and the goals have been missing in action lately. The lack of an explosive or dynamic offensive attack is visible and the responsibility falls on several defensive players.
I see how Bill Tuiloma has become the club scorer and despite Jaroslaw Niezgoda with two goals scored in the season the latter hasn’t shown any signs of becoming the leader in this department. Other players such as Dairon Aspirilla and Yimmi Chara have a few issues in their offensive game due to strong marking from the opposing defenses.
If Gio doing some moves in his starting eleven, why not he becomes a little bold and maybe see the likes of rookies Diego Gutierrez or Teko Akindele or go back to his traditional 4-3-2-1 formation or a 4-4-2.
The need to finish games on a high is a must and imperative for this club to ascent the table into the postseason spots and not make a last-minute run-in when the season is winding down. The status of striker Felipe Mora is uncertain with no imminent return insight as the man for sure will take time to get ready for his game.
Facing off against Colorado in the altitude can somehow be a total challenge for the Rose City side looking at any cost for a meritorious win.
What formation will Gio put on the field as well as what will his midfield attacking trio will start will be the questions as well as if he will send the Colombian connection that can uplift the offensive game when needed the most.
Can Portland deliver another win on the road at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park?
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Bill Tuiloma, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Dairon Aspirilla; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Colorado Rapids Briefly
Last season, we saw a revival at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado as manager Robin Fraser has injected a lot of enthusiasm into a team lacking a game identity as well not displaying good football.
Ever since his arrival with the Rapids, we have seen a surge of good football and taking the team to back-to-back postseasons, as last year they were eliminated by the Timbers in the semifinals.
This season, the team looked like it was going to continue its revival, but in their opener, they succumbed to LAFC to a 3-0 rout. They came back with back-to-back wins over Atlanta and Sporting Kansas City. Their next set of results were draws and losing in two consecutive matches.
Still, this team drew with expansion side Charlotte FC last week and the team is looking to regain its confidence and with a home game against the visiting Timbers. The Rapids are looking for a rematch and return to the winning columns.
The team made a lot of moves in the off-season, including recently acquired international and USMNT striker Gyasi Zardes to reinforce the offensive department and no doubt he will become a starter this Saturday.
This team is complete and despite the slump, they have become a fighting machine ready to start making a number of moves towards the top of the league and assure a spot in the postseason.
Probable Lineup:
GK William Yarborough, Lalas Abubakar, Gustavo Vallecilla, Auston Trusty; Kegan Roseberry, Jack Price, Mark Anthony Kaye, Steven Beitashour; Diego Rubio, Michael Barrios, Andre Shinyashiki
Meetings
11/25/2021 Colorado Rapids 0-1 Portland Timbers
10/23/2021 Colorado Rapids 2-0 Portland Timbers
09/15/2021 Portland Timbers 2-2 Colorado Rapids
Forecast
For Gio and company, three points against Colorado will be considered a huge win on the road
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
