Following a string of losses, the Portland Timbers appear to have righted the ship, with two wins and one draw, while conceding just one goal over the three games. At home on Saturday night against the Colorado Rapids, Portland put in a complete 90-minute performance, looking the clearly superior team from the opening whistle.
There are caveats, as practically every match has: Colorado is far from an elite team this year, with just 31 goals scored, dead last in Major League Soccer, and with the worst goal differential (-19) in the West. Additionally, the Rapids were missing US international Kellyn Acosta, called up to the USA’s friendly against Brazil, as well as forward Niki Jackson and midfielder Nana Boateng, both due to red card suspension.