Another tough test on the road for the Portland Timbers against Colorado

AUGUST 31, 2024 – PORTLAND, OR: MLS Regular Season Seattle Sounders at Portland Timbers by Diego G Diaz.

(6) Portland Timbers (11,9,7, 40 points) vs (4) Colorado Rapids (13, 9,5, 44 points)

September 14, 2024, 6:30 PM PST

Dicks Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado

Portland Timbers Briefly

Defense wins games as these hardened Portland Timbers are playing a one-of-a-kind game of football lately after their display last Saturday and displaying a defensive gem against the Seattle Sounders in this past weekend’s Cascadia Derby.

Considered the mother of all derbies in Major League Soccer, this celebrated rivalry has made it one of the most exciting matchups in the league, once drawing the attention of many English reporters who came to experience this match.

However, in the last matchup between these two bitter rivals, Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer was left clueless about what happened on the field and how his team was shut down by the fierce defense displayed by the Rose City side.

Somehow, Santiago Moreno, Jonathan Rodriguez, and Evander are leading the offense for the Portland team. Jonathan has scored 13 goals, while Evander has scored 12 and Felipe Mora has scored 13 goals. This team seems very determined to make a strong push for the postseason.

Defensively manager Phil Neville made some needed changes and started Kamal Miller alongside Dario Zuparic with David Mosquera and Claudio Bravo playing outside as Maxime Crepeau the keeper.

Crepeau, thanks to his defensive unit and overzealous display, had his first clean sheet of the season trailing Pantemis with four clean sheets. Both Canadians have been spectacular under the posts.

Still, nothing has been accomplished for manager Phil Neville, it will be an all-around challenge to deliver a spot in the postseason and start delivering all sorts of excitement associated with the thrill and drama associated with the playoffs.

To conclude, there’s lots of room for improvement as well as the team playing the way these are doing it currently. I do foresee a successful run till the end of this exciting 2024 campaign. As for manager Phil Neville, man you come a long way baby!

Djorde Mihalovic representing the Colorado Rapids in the past Olympic games, the man delivered wonders. Photo Credit Colorado Rapids and USMNT.

Colorado Rapids Briefly

Chris Armas, the debutante manager, has proven to be exactly what the Rocky Mountain team needed to turn their season around. Under his leadership, the team has surged to fourth place and has been playing some impressive football.

CF Montreal must be missing the creativity of Djordje Mihailovic as their winger. So far, he has spearheaded the Rapids attack as one of the most improved and becoming one of the most dynamic overall in league play.

He has also sparked the Rapids into contention and improved their attack significantly!

Another player to speak about is Brazilian forward, Rafael Navarro, who has enhanced the team’s offensive capabilities. Their crucial road victory against FC Dallas in Frisco demonstrates their development as a top competitor.

This is something not seen in these parts for quite some time, as Commerce City has been a witness of the poor football displayed by its Rapids in recent years, but now is a different story. Put in the past and this team can become of the most improved in all of Major League Soccer.

Meetings

08/01/2024 Portland Timbers 4-0 Colorado Rapids

02/24/2024 Portland Timbers 4-1 Colorado Rapids

09/23/2023 Portland Timbers 3-2 Colorado Rapids

Forecast

If the Portland Timbers repeat with another defensive gem of a game, these Rapids will be in deep trouble