Conceding at home is becoming a problem.
An own goal right before halftime took the wind out of the Rapids’ sails and set the tone for what became an ugly 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
Colorado came out swinging like the unbeaten team it was coming into Matchday 5. On a few occasions, the Rapids tried to catch the Timbers sleeping with some early low and driven crosses. Rafael Navarro was inches from getting a foot on two, which on a different day might have led to goals.
Portland was stymied offensively and only got four shots (none on goal) in the first half, which was uncharacteristically few from a Rapids standpoint to give up. But it took one dangerous-looking attack for the Timbers to get on the board.
Driving across the byline in first-half stoppage time, new Timbers midfielder David Da Costa put in a low cross trying to find a teammate’s foot, but instead found new Rapids midfielder Josh Atencio’s foot. Though intentions were good, it almost looked like Atencio tried to fire something toward the goal, and it found the opposite side netting.
The Rapids came out energetic in the second half, but only rattled one quick shot before the Timbers scored their second of the night. Portland midfielder Antony, who has now scored four goals against the Rapids in as many games the past two years, fired a rocket past Rapids keeper Adam Beaudry’s outstretched fingers from the top of the box just three minutes into the second half.
Beaudry, in his first career home game in Zack Steffen’s absence, had a couple of quality saves after he was beaten by Antony, but his night ultimately got worse.
In the 75th minute, Kevin Kelsy scored a third for the Timbers, finding the opposite lower corner on a one-touch shot on his first touch of the game.
The Rapids will return home to face red-hot Charlotte FC next Saturday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m.
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