Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids: How to watch, preview, match chat [7:30]

After the Portland Thorns’ thrilling 3-1 win over the Seattle Reign at Providence Park yesterday, the Portland Timbers have a tough act to follow as they take on the Colorado Rapids tonight.

Although not as abysmal as early returns suggested, the Rapids are still a team that the Timbers need to take three points from if they want to stay above the red line and relevant in the Western Conference. Now on 41 points, the Timbers are only a single point ahead of the 7th place Vancouver Whitecaps and any missed chances to take three points will open the door to the Canadian side.

To that end, the Timbers need to take their chances against this Rapids side that are certainly reeling from their most recent loss: a 6-0 home defeat at the hands of their rivals, Real Salt Lake. While the six goals scored by RSL in that match catch the eye, it is the zero scored by the Rapids that are more indicative of their season. With only 31 goals scored this year, the Rapids have the worst attack in MLS by a wide margin.

If the Timbers can bring their regular defensive strength to bear against the Rapids, then a win should be there for the taking.

Previews

Storylines: “While a win in New England would have been nice, a road point is a road point. The overall goal now is to stay above the line and get into the playoffs. As long as Gio doesn’t tinker too much from here on out, I expect he will run the usual 4-3-2-1 with Armenteros up top. Which, by the way, can we say that the Dairon Asprilla experiment at striker is over?”

Stop by the Rose City Forecast to make your predictions about tonight’s match.

Match Information

Watch it on: FOX 12 Plus (KPDX)

Where: Providence Park in Portland, OR

When: Saturday, September 8th at 7:30 p.m. PT

Portland Timbers: 11-7-8, 6th place in the Western Confernece, 1-1 draw at New England Revolution

Colorado Rapids: 6-14-6, 11th place in the Western Conference, 6-0 loss vs. Real Salt Lake