The Colorado Rapids halted a five-game losing streak in Portland but still didn’t celebrate a victory as they played to a scoreless draw with the Timbers on Saturday night.
Colorado was outscored 16-4 during the skid – one of the setbacks came in Leagues Cup play – before playing the Timbers even in a tightly marked match.
The Rapids (11-13-6, 39 points) remained in possession of the ninth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. Colorado is just 2-10-3 on the road.
The Timbers (9-14-7, 34 points) remain five points behind the Rapids with Real Salt Lake (36) sitting in 10th place. San Diego FC and Minnesota United also have 34 points.
Nico Hansen had four saves for Colorado, which is 0-1-4 over its last five matches.
James Pantemis made one stop for Portland, which is in a 0-4-3 funk.
The Timbers had an 11-9 edge in shots, including a 4-1 advantage in on-target attempts.
Portland had a 2-on-1 opportunity in the 57th minute but came up empty.
Kristoffer Velde closed in on Hansen and passed the ball over to Vincent Janssen, whose left-footed shot hit the crossbar. Velde was called for a foul on Colorado’s Loic Williams to halt the threat.
Two minutes later, the Rapids had a stellar chance. Georgi Minoungou sent a short centering pass to a charging Donavan Phillip, who sent the ball just wide to the left.
In the 80th minute, Velde’s right-footed shot was stopped by Hansen.
In the final minute of second-half stoppage time, Velde’s attempt from outside the box was blocked by Colorado’s Kosi Thompson.
Velde took six shots, placing two on target.
There were only seven total shots – five by Portland — in the first half.
Portland had an opportunity in the ninth minute but Kamal Miller’s shot hit off the left goalpost.
The Timbers had strong chances in back-to-back minutes, the first coming in the 33rd minute when Janssen’s right-footed shot was stopped by Hansen.
That chance was followed up by Velde’s right-footer, which was also saved by Hansen.
–Field Level Media
