PORTLAND, Ore. – The first game of the Chris Armas era will see the Colorado Rapids travel to Providence Park to take on a familiar foe: the Portland Timbers.
When: Saturday, February 24th @ 8:30 pm MDT
Where: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Rapids Timbers Preview:
A tense, but low-scoring affair could be on the cards. In 2023, Colorado scored the fewest away goals in the Western Conference with 13.
The additions of Djordje Mihailovic and Sam Vines will certainly change the dynamic of Colorado’s attack this season, but it would be fairly optimistic to expect an instant increase in goals. This is a completely different roster from last year, and the first few months of the season will likely result in the team searching for its own identity.
On the other hand, Portland has strengthened its defense and will look to erase their defensive woes of last season. The 36 goals they conceded at Providence Park in 2023 was the third highest total in the West.
2024 Colorado Rapids Season Preview:
Analyzing the roster turnover, what Chris Armas brings as head coach, reasons for concern, a possible breakout star, and predicting the starting lineup and outcome for the season. https://t.co/AmmwosTUpbpic.twitter.com/6eajUyBJqk
These two clubs have played each other 30 times prior to Saturday night, with the Timbers winning 13 and the Rapids winning 10. This fixture is typically a high-scoring one, with 57% of the results ending with three goals or more.
Timbers 2024 Departures:
Portland’s roster feels rather incomplete, as they still have two Designated Player slots to fill.
The 2024 offseason saw them part ways with Sebastián Blanco. The diminutive Argentinian midfielder was a Portland hero, and his departure to San Lorenzo is a welcome sight for Rapids fans.
Winger Yimmi Chará has also left the club, after four seasons in the Rose City. Yimmi is the younger brother of the iconic defensive midfielder Diego Chará, who will captain the Timbers in his 11th season with the club.
Portland opted to not bring back Polish striker Jarosław Niezgoda, after injuries marred his time with the club.
The Timbers infamously fired head coach Giovanni Savarese last August. Savarese guided the Timbers to two MLS Cup finals in 2018 and 2021, with both appearances ending in losses.
Timbers 2024 Arrivals:
The man brought in to replace Savarese is Phil Neville. Neville’s name value is attached to his playing career, boasting over 500 Premier League appearances for the likes of Manchester United and Everton.
The Timbers also brought in two big names during the offseason: goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and defender Kamal Miller.
A two-time MLS Cup winner with LAFC in 2022 and 2023, Crépeau was never able to reclaim his starting role in Los Angeles following his gruesome injury in the 2022 MLS Cup final. Despite that, the Canadian international is still one of the most renowned goalkeepers in the league.
Also a member of the Canadian national team, Miller joins the Timbers in a trade from Inter Miami. The 26 year-old has already accumulated 102 starts in MLS, including an MLS All-Star appearance in 2022.
Acquiring Miller was a priority for Neville, as he stated when the club traded for him in January.
“Kamal was our number one target when I first got to Portland. He brings great quality and experience being a regular for Canada, having played at a top level in the World Cup and being one of the top center backs in the league.”
Statement:
The 2024 offseason has brought a sense of renewal to the Colorado Rapids, and the tempered optimism surrounding the club will be put to the test on Saturday night. While a win would be the perfect way to exorcise the demons of 2023, a draw would be a solid result to build on ahead of their home opener. That game will see Armas’ men take on Nashville SC on March 2nd.
Odds:
Sportsbooks in Colorado tend to favor home teams in MLS especially early in the season. FanDuel for example as a Portland win at -165. A draw is +300 with a Rapids win at +400. For the Rapids fan who likes the lineup, those second two bets might be hard to pass up.
Photo Credit: John Babiak
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Matt Pollard 