Portland Timbers at Colorado Rapids Match Thread [3:00]

The Portland Timbers are on the road today for the first time in 2014 as they take on the Colorado Rapids. With snow falling in Commerce City, the Timbers will need to overcome the elements, the altitude, and an ambitious Rapids side to come away with a result.

The Rapids return most of the core of young players that carried them to a fifth seed in the Western Conference last year. Despite a bloodied head suffered last week thanks to an errant elbow, Dillon Powers, the reigning Rookie of the Year, will be at the center of the pitch, alongside fellow MLS sophomores Deshorn Brown and Shane O'Neill

The Timbers have struggled to get wins on the road in years past, especially at altitude, so can they change that in 2014?

Here's all the information you need for today's game:

Match Preview: "The Timbers will be looking to take this game by the reigns early on, get a goal, and control the game from there. With the sluggishness often caused by altitude in teams not acclimated to its effects, however, it will take serious effort and hard mentality to get out of the gate quickly."

Preview Interview: "Oftentimes when facing a team like Portland that knows how to stifle an offense, you need to rely on your guys that can make something out of nothing. Colorado has two such guys, Deshorn Brown and Gabriel Torres..." -Chris White, Burgundy Wave

General Information

Watch it on: ROOT Sports

Kick off: 3:00 pm at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO

Portland Timbers: 0-0-2

Colorado Rapids: 0-0-1