Colorado Rapids will look to continue their winning ways when they host Portland Timbers on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.
Rapids’ four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2, 8 points) represents the best start of a season in franchise history. Colorado has won back-to-back road matches, including a 2-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, when Calvin Harris netted the tiebreaking goal in the 71st minute.
The depth of the line will be tested for both teams as a mixture of national team calls and injuries will force both coaches’ hand to become creative.
Colorado will play without Wayne Frederick (Trinidad & Tobago) and start goalkeeper Zack Steffen (USA), who is with his national team. Last week, Steffen took up 12 rescues when the earthquakes pressed him throughout the match. Rafael Navarro leads the rapids with three goals.
With Steffen out of the lineup, Adam Beaudry is expected to get its first start between the pipes for the rapids. It will be the first home outcome for the 18-year-old from Castle Pines, Colo., Whose only previous MLS look 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 have talked about doing everything the same. Treat the week in training the same way. A few weeks maybe I have a game. Some may not. But I’m happy to get my first start at home and hopefully come out with three points.”
How the team has responded to a juggled lineup due to injuries and the challenge of having three of their first four matches on the road has impressed the Rapid coach Chris Armas. Theodore Ku-Dipietro (Axel), Jackson Travis (Hand) and Sam Vines (thighs) will miss the match due to injuries.
Portland (1-2-1, 4 points) has allowed seven goals through their first four matches and is looking for texture as it struggles with a provisional range as well.
Jonathan Rodriguez (knee) is out while Juan Mosquera (lower body) is listed as doubtful. Miguel Araujo (Peru), Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica) and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (Canada) are gone with their respective national teams.
The hours were satisfied with 1-1-O-committed in a home game against Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. Felipe Mora’s goal from a David da Costa assistant in the 49th minute gave Portland a 1-0 edge, but the Galaxy also drew with an 81-minute goal.
While Portland’s defense on sets and form has encouraged coach Phil Neville, he wants the hours to be more aggressive.
“We are a team that still learns and must be a little more ruthless and especially show a little more courage on the ball,” Neville said. “We were up 1-0 against a team that was there to take.”
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