Colorado Rapids Portland Timbers Preview

What a difference a week makes, huh? After a perpetuation of doom and gloom over the last few months, Rapids fans can feel slightly better about 2023. A much needed first home victory of the season keeps them somewhat alive in the playoff hunt, and reinforcements are on the way.

The club officially announced the signing of 23-year-old Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro on a one year loan with an option to buy. The former Botafogo man will occupy a Designated Player slot, and is looking like one of the most exciting signings in recent Rapids history.

For now, however, the focus is now on one half of soccer. After a second lightning postponement of the season halted proceedings of the second half against Portland on the 4th of July, Colorado will welcome Portland once again to conclude this matchup on Wednesday night. 

Finish Your Chances

Colorado was the better side in the first 45 against Portland, and will be looking to reignite that momentum. As the game was originally called off at halftime, Wednesday’s resumption will kick off in the 46th minute. Both teams will have to use the same lineups they had started with.

A unique situation that will present challenges to both sides, head coach Robin Fraser believes that Colorado must be more clinical. “It’s a different game…It’s going to be a real exercise in concentration and effort..You have to take your chances because you don’t have 90 minutes worth of chances”.

The Rapids are averaging 1.14 xG per game, a poor figure, but only sixth worse in the league. The amount of actual goals scored however, is 0.76 per game, good for dead last in MLS.

The Rapids had five shots to Portland’s three, with the best chance being a Lalas Abubakar header off of a corner. Set pieces have been a big part of Fraser and his staff’s attacking game plan, as four of the 16 goals the Rapids have scored this year have come off a set piece. 

Momentum is Key

Portland head into tomorrow night in shaky form, with their last MLS win coming on June 11 against FC Dallas. The Timbers also find themselves languishing near the bottom in 12th place, but are only three points off of a wild card seed.

If the Rapids manage to win two MLS games in a row for the first time this year, they would remain bottom of the conference, but would also re-ignite the hunt for the playoffs that many had all but ruled out earlier this season. 

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

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