The Colorado Rapids will look to proceed their profitable methods after they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Commerce Metropolis, Colo.
The Rapids’ four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2, 8 factors) represents one of the best begin to a season in franchise historical past. Colorado has gained back-to-back highway matches, together with a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes final weekend, when Calvin Harris netted the tiebreaking objective within the 71st minute.
Lineup depth can be examined for each groups as a mixture of nationwide workforce call-ups and accidents will drive the hand of each coaches to get artistic.
Colorado will play with out Wayne Frederick (Trinidad & Tobago) and beginning goalkeeper Zack Steffen (United States), who’re with their nationwide groups. Final week Steffen racked up 12 saves because the Earthquakes pressured him all through the match. Rafael Navarro leads the Rapids with three objectives.
With Steffen out of the lineup, Adam Beaudry is anticipated to get his first begin between the pipes for the Rapids. It will likely be the primary house look for the 18-year-old from Citadel Pines, Colo., whose solely earlier MLS look was final season at Austin FC.
“I have been making ready for this for a very long time,” Beaudry stated. “It will likely be particular to have my household and mates there. We have been speaking about making the whole lot the identical. Treating the week in coaching the identical. Some weeks I may need a recreation. Some I may not. However I’m excited to get my first begin at house and hopefully come out with three factors.”
The way in which the workforce has responded to a juggled lineup resulting from accidents and the problem of getting three of its first 4 matches on the highway has impressed Rapids coach Chris Armas. Theodore Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), Jackson Travis (hand) and Sam Vines (thigh) will miss the match resulting from accidents.
Portland (1-2-1, 4 factors) has allowed seven objectives by way of its first 4 video games and is on the lookout for consistency because it battles by way of with a makeshift lineup as properly.
Jonathan Rodriguez (knee) is out whereas Juan Mosquera (decrease physique) is listed as questionable. Miguel Araujo (Peru), Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica) and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (Canada) are away with their respective nationwide groups.
The Timbers settled for a 1-1 attract a house match in opposition to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. Felipe Mora’s objective off a David Da Costa help within the forty ninth minute gave Portland a 1-0 edge, however the Galaxy pulled even with an 81st-minute objective.
Whereas Portland’s protection on set items and form has inspired coach Phil Neville, he needs the Timbers to be extra aggressive.
“We’re a workforce that is nonetheless studying and must be somewhat extra ruthless and particularly present some extra braveness on the ball,” Neville stated. ‘We had been up 1-0 in opposition to a workforce that was there for the taking.”
–Area Stage Media