Portland Timbers Grind Out 0-0 Draw Against Colorado Rapids

The Portland Timbers went on the road and grabbed a point against the league-leading Colorado Rapids today, getting the better of the chances on the night, but failing to break down the league’s best defense.

Like every game that the Rapids have played so far this season, tonight’s match started out cagey and stayed that way through most of the first half with neither team creating much.

Colorado had a chance to break the deadlock in the 20th minute as a chipped pass saw designated player striker Shkelzan Gashi in on goal, one on one with Jake Gleeson. The Timbers’ keeper closed down Gashi quickly and managed to get a foot on the Rapids player’s low shot, pushing the ball wide.

The Timbers had the best chance of the first half in the 43rd minute as Fanendo Adi broke down the pitch. With a single defender between him and goal, Adi cut hard onto his left foot, creating just enough space to hit a hard, curling shot on Tim Howard’s goal, beating the newly arrived keeper but slamming into the far post and bouncing away as the chance went wanting.

Melano would also have a one on one chance with Howard in the 63rd minute, getting in on goal from the left wing. With the defense recovering around him, Melano tried to place a low, side-footed shot around Howard, but the Rapids keeper was able to get down and make the save to keep the match knotted at 0-0.

The chances would continue to be few and far between, but the Timbers would have one final attempt on goal in the 91st minute as Adi chested a ball down for substitute Ned Grabavoy. Taking the ball on the volley, Grabavoy fired off a shot that skipped past the dive of Howard before kissing off the outside of the post and rolling wide.

With neither team able to grab a winner, the match ended in a 0-0 draw, improving the Timbers’ record to 6-6-6 and leaving the team in a 24 point tie for 5th place with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Timbers are on the road again for their next match as they take on the New York Red Bulls next Sunday.