Rafael Navarro’s goal in the 71st minute Saturday night snapped a tie and led the Colorado Rapids to a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers in Commerce City, Colo.
With an assist from Djordje Mihailovic, Navarro scored his 14th goal of the season on a header to the top right corner, putting him two away from the franchise record for most goals in a year. This one helped Colorado improve to 14-9-5, good for 47 points and a tie for third with Real Salt Lake in the Western Conference.
It also gave the Rapids a measure of revenge on Portland (11-10-7, 40 points). In the teams’ first two matchups this year, both in Oregon, the Timbers thumped Colorado by a combined 8-1.
The Rapids were able to turn the tables with better possession, owning the ball 53 percent of the time and passing at nearly 87 percent accuracy. Goalie Zack Steffen was required to make only three saves out of the 17 shots Portland tried.
The match promised on paper to be an offensive showcase as the Timbers and Colorado entered the night second and third, respectively, in goals. Both displayed their firepower within the first half’s first 25 minutes.
Portland was first to concede in the 14th minute. Milhailovic flicked a pass toward Jonathan Lewis in the box and he used his left foot to get a shot past diving goalie Maxime Crepeau for his third goal of the season.
But the Rapids’ lead disappeared quickly. The Timbers tied it in the 24th minute off a perfectly executed corner kick. Evander initiated it, Miguel Araujo flicked a header toward David Ayala at the left post and he converted for his first goal in 50 matches with Portland.
Colorado’s 18-year-old rookie Darren Yapi, whose goal in stoppage lifted the Rapids past Dallas on Aug. 31, was shown a red card in the 97th minute.
–Field Level Media
