Colorado Rapids 3 Portland Timbers 0 – Health Brings Wealth

Fortunately, the Rapids were more than happy to provide.

We're used to slow starts from this team this year, but they came out with a heck of a fire under them after two straight heartbreaking losses to Vancouver and San Jose. They grabbed the ball right from the outset and never let go, having seemingly every second of possession in the first half which gave them a bunch of early chances. Specifically, the Timbers were dismal at defending the wings which left the wingers and fullbacks open for cross after cross.

Honestly, with the way that the game played out after that, Castrillon's goal was probably the only thing they needed. Unlike Gary Smith's old strategy of sitting back with a lead though, Pareja's Rapids kept on pounding.

At the half the 2-0 scoreline stuck and the statistics were telling of just how bad the beat-down had been. Colorado were outshooting Portland by three and had 60% of the possession along with a passing accuracy well over 80%. It only got worse after the game restarted.

Cascio and Smith had both been terrorizing the back four of the Timbers, but it took until the 89th minute to see the fruits of their labor. Cascio picked up the ball and made a wonderful slanted run into the area with Smith racing toward the goal. Cascio made a perfect, tiny touch that got Troy Perkins to leap off his line and then immediately chipped it right in front of the net and off Jamie Smith.

Goal number three was the first of the year for Smith in his debut, a wonderful moment for the Scotsman. Even more impressive though was the run of Cascio to create that play, a play that most veteran players in MLS wouldn't even be able to pull off. Our Rookie of the Year candidate's second assist might have been the highlight of the season so far, even if it was simply a garbage time dagger to the heart of Portland.

Just goes to show that a team with depth is great, but a healthy team with depth can be lethal.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Conor Casey. His first few games back from injury, he looked a bit timid and afraid to get too involved in physical play, usually his bread and butter. In his second start in a row now, he finally looks like he's back to his old self. A great goal by him and plenty more that could have been. Great to have you back, Conor.

Still, just about everyone had some man of the match moments in them during Saturday's beautiful spectacle.

GOAT OF THE MATCH: Uh.