(13) Portland Timbers (3,6,7, 16 points) vs (9) Colorado Rapids (5,6,4, 19 points)
Saturday June 25, 2022, KO 7:30 PM PST/ 8:30 PM MST/ 10:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
The Portland Timbers saw an improvement against a hardened LA Galaxy last week in Carson, California, but in the end, the spoiler goal by LA’s super sub-Dejan Jovelic in the 88th minute rescued a point for the home team.
Despite the disappointment, this team showed a lot of fight and determination during the match, steeping its defensive game as well as its offensive attack that broke the team’s scoring drought.
For the team is finally seeing its playmakers like Sebastian Blanco, Santiago Moreno, and Yimmi Char–the latter one scoring the Timbers’ goal–making important improvements in the attacking game.
Hang a star on the defensive game that stood its ground against an attacking Galaxy crew and denied them a few times and Chicharito Hernandez missing many opportunities of would-be plays at goal.
However, the return home against a struggling Colorado coming from a big draw against NYCFC in the Bronx will make the Portland side cautious and with the visitors coming with a couple of its top playmakers (Lalas Abubakar and Bryan Acosta) suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards.
This could be anyone’s game as both sides are hungry for a win and come Saturday, we will see a clash of two titans looking at any cost to come ahead with a win and start with the right foot this second half of the season.
The need to give young players the opportunity to be in the starting lineup is imperative for their development as well as getting more playing time for players like David Ayala and Zac McGraw.
In the end, the Portland Timbers need to be bold and develop a defensive shield as well as be dominant in the midfield and not allow Colorado to shut down the likes of Blanco and Chara’s offensive game.
Overall the Timbers’ needs are to step its game and never surrendered if scored early as well the game in its entire ninety minutes and not focus in just 45 minutes, I believe this team can deliver!
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco; Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Colorado Rapids Briefly
The Rapids were not anticipating a roller coaster of a season that so far has handed them many downs and not playing like 2021 when they had the label of favorites to win it all.
For manager Robin Fraser, this has been a tough campaign not seeing his work flourish and seeing his team struggling below the postseason positions and looking a bit desperate to start netting some much-needed wins.
Still, the Rocky Mountain side is looking forward to a big win on the road and with domination lately exercised over the Portland Timbers. Somehow, the Rapids are coming to town very confident of taking the three points away from the home team.
I can foresee a very defensive Rapids starting eleven trying to neutralize Sebastian Blanco as well as dominate defensively the midfield but a couple of notable players in Fraser’s starting eleven are suffering from yellow card accumulations.
With last week’s draw against defending champions NYCFC at Yankee Stadium, this result uplifts this team’s spirits on the road and undoubtedly, they will try to continue their march with perfection with a win over the Rose City side.
Probable Lineup:
GK William Yarborough, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty; Keegan Rosenberry, Nicolas Mezquida, Mark Anthony Kaye, Lucas Estevez; Max Alves; Michael Barrios, Gyazi Zardes
Meetings
04/30/2022 Colorado Rapids 2-0 Portland Timbers
11/25/2021 Colorado Rapids 0-1 Portland Timbers
10/23/2021 Colorado Rapids 2-0 Portland Timbers
Forecast
Can the Portland Timbers take home-field advantage in their favor alongside Colorado’s skid?
Photo: Linda Brothers
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
