The Colorado Rapids will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.
The Rapids’ four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2, 8 points) represents the best start to a season in franchise history. Colorado has won back-to-back road matches, including a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, when Calvin Harris netted the tiebreaking goal in the 71st minute.
Lineup depth will be tested for both teams as a mix of national team call-ups and injuries will force the hand of both coaches to get creative.
Colorado will play without Wayne Frederick (Trinidad & Tobago) and starting goalkeeper Zack Steffen (United States), who are with their national teams. Last week Steffen racked up 12 saves as the Earthquakes pressured him throughout the match. Rafael Navarro leads the Rapids with three goals.
With Steffen out of the lineup, Adam Beaudry is expected to get his first start between the pipes for the Rapids. It will be the first home appearance for the 18-year-old from Castle Pines, Colo., whose only previous MLS appearance was last season at Austin FC.
“I’ve been preparing for this for a long time,” Beaudry said. “It will be special to have my family and friends there. We’ve been talking about making everything the same. Treating the week in training the same. Some weeks I might have a game. Some I might not. But I am excited to get my first start at home and hopefully come out with three points.”
The way the team has responded to a juggled lineup due to injuries and the challenge of having three of its first four matches on the road has impressed Rapids coach Chris Armas. Theodore Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), Jackson Travis (hand) and Sam Vines (thigh) will miss the match due to injuries.
Portland (1-2-1, 4 points) has allowed seven goals through its first four games and is looking for consistency as it battles through with a makeshift lineup as well.
Jonathan Rodriguez (knee) is out while Juan Mosquera (lower body) is listed as questionable. Miguel Araujo (Peru), Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica) and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (Canada) are away with their respective national teams.
The Timbers settled for a 1-1 draw in a home match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. Felipe Mora’s goal off a David Da Costa assist in the 49th minute gave Portland a 1-0 edge, but the Galaxy pulled even with an 81st-minute goal.
While Portland’s defense on set pieces and shape has encouraged coach Phil Neville, he wants the Timbers to be more aggressive.
“We’re a team that’s still learning and needs to be a little more ruthless and in particular show some more courage on the ball,” Neville said. ‘We were up 1-0 against a team that was there for the taking.”
–Field Level Media
