Rapids collapse in second half, lose to Timbers
The Colorado Rapids (6-4-6) fell to the Portland Timbers (7-4-5) 2-1 following a second half collapse that included two goals conceded and a red card. The Timbers outshot the Rapids 23-11 and had nine shots on target compared to Colorado’s three.
Rapids’ Head Coach Chris Armas elected to continue the 4-2-3-1 formation, but with a slight twist. His players stayed behind the ball and dared Portland to attack, who have only scored two goals in their past five games.
In the 33rd minute, Rapids captain Djorjde Mihailovic bobbed and weaved through defenders for 40 yards before rolling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. This was his seventh goal of the year and put the Rapids on top.
Eight minutes later the Timbers were awarded a penalty after a handball on defender Andreas Maxsø. Portland captain Felipe Mora stepped up to the mark and shot the ball straight up the middle, but was denied by keeper Nico Hansen.
Through the first 45, the Rapids had the lead and were running their game-plan to perfection. Although the Timbers had possessions for 65% of the first half, they had struggled to create a clear chance for their attackers.
Seven minutes into the second half, Mihailovic was subbed out after sustaining a right hamstring injury. According to Armas it was only cramping, and the midfielder should be good to go for the next outing.
In the 59th minute, Colorado midfielder Connor Ronan made a cross that found midfielder Sam Bassett, whose point-blank shot bounced right off the crossbar. On the counterattack, the Timbers found themselves with a number advantage in opponent territory. Following a through ball, Antony blasted a shot past Hansen to tie the game at one. In his six career games against the Rapids, he has six goals.
Nine minutes later Colorado substitute Wayne Frederick was given a straight red card after a dangerous tackle on Portland’s David Ayala. The Rapids were down to 10 men for the remaining 32 minutes.
“It's difficult when you go a man down,” Defensive midfielder Oliver Larraz said. “It was difficult for us to manage the game offensively with a man down, we tried to push a bit but it was difficult.”
In the 76th minute, the Colorado back line allowed a risky cross in front of the goal that found Portland’s Kevin Kelsy, who tapped it in to give the Timbers the lead and effectively win the game.
“Believe it or not, games like this are going to make us better,” Armas said after the loss. “We’ll take some positives from this, I’m sure of it.”
The Rapids will have over a week off before hosting Austin FC on Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. MT. In their first meeting in early March, striker Rafael Navarro scored the lone goal to give Colorado its first win of the season. The game can be streamed on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.