Colorado Rapids will be looking to secure a third consecutive victory for the first time since August when they play host to Portland Timbers at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
While the home side appear to have hit their stride, it has been a topsy-turvy start to the campaign for the Timbers, who journey to Commerce City looking to secure their first away win since July 2024.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids continued their strong early-season form as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes when the two sides squared off at PayPal Park last Sunday.
After falling behind to Cole Bassett's 38th-minute opener, San Jose hit back right on the stroke of half time through Cristian Arango to end the first half level but substitute Calvin Harris netted five minutes after coming on to hand the visitors all three points.
Prior to that, Colorado Rapids kicked off the 2025 MLS campaign with back-to-back stalemate against St Louis City and Dallas before picking up a 1-0 victory over Austin FC at the Q2 Stadium on March 9 thanks to a first-half effort from Rafael Navarro.
Off the back of a first-round exit from the playoffs last term, when they suffered a humbling 9-1 aggregate loss against LA Galaxy in their best-of-three clash, Chris Armas's men are one of just four unbeaten sides in the Western Conference, claiming eight points from a possible 12 to sit fourth in the table.
While the Rapids will look to make it three wins on the trot for the first time since August 2024, they need to show their mettle this weekend as they go up against an opposing side who are unbeaten in 12 of the last 16 meetings between the two sides, claiming eight wins and four draws since August 2017.
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Portland Timbers, on the other hand, were left spitting feathers last Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 stalemate by LA Galaxy after conceding a late equaliser at Providence Park.
Following a relatively uneventful first half, veteran forward Felipe Mora broke the deadlock four minutes into the second period to put the home side in front before Christian Ramirez struck in the 81st minute to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Phil Neville's side kicked off the season with two losses from their opening three games, suffering defeats against Vancouver Whitecaps and Nashville on either side of a 1-0 victory over Austin on March 2.
While they have endured a stuttering start to the season, Portland Timbers have their sights on securing a playoff ticket this year, having suffered a 5-0 loss against Vancouver Whitecaps in the single-elimination play-in match on October 24.
The Timbers head into the weekend without a win in any of their last seven competitive games on the road, losing four and claiming three draws since beating Mexican outfit Club Leon 2-1 in the Leagues Cup back in July 2024.
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Team News
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Colorado Rapids will have to cope without the duo of Wayne Frederick and first-choice goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who are both on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago and the United States respectively.
On the injury front, Armas will be unable to name the American trio of Theodore Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), Jackson Travis (toe) and 23-year-old Josh Atencio (groin), who have been ruled out through injuries.
Fellow countryman Sam Vines has been out of action since sustaining an injury in November while Irishman Connor Ronan is set to sit out his second consecutive game after picking up a hamstring problem.
Navarro has been on song for Colorado this season and we expect the Brazilian striker to spearhead their attack once again, forming the front three with Kevin Cabral and 26-year-old Djordje Mihailovic, who has two goals and one assist under his belt.
Meanwhile, Portland Timbers will take to the pitch without the services of 31-year-forward Jonathan Rodriguez, who has been sidelined since October through a severe knee problem.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Colombian defender Juan Mosquera, who also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury against Vancouver Whitecaps back in October.
The Timbers will also have to cope without several key players down the spine of the team as defender Miguel Araujo (Peru), midfielder Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica) and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (Canada) are all on international duties.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Beaudry; Cannon, Awaziem, Maxsoe, Rosenberry; Larraz, Fernandez, Bassett; Cabral, Navarro, Mihailovic
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Miller, Surman, Miller, Fory; Chara, Ayala; Antony, Da Costa, Moreno; Mora
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids have put together a fine run of results in recent weeks and will be backing themselves against Portland Timbers who have struggled to impose themselves on the road. That said, we predict that Armas's men will make the most of their home advantage and come away with the desired result this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
