Undefeated no more, the Colorado Rapids were out-maneuvered and outdone by a Portland Timbers team that used Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to finally catch some rhythm.
The Rapids (2-1-2, 6th Western Conference) have overperformed to start the season, stealing two tough road wins against Austin FC and the San Jose Earthquakes. The Timbers (2-2-1, 8th Western Conference) have been a bit disappointing, but are largely learning to play without MLS MVP candidate Evander.
For both teams, the fortune turned. In what Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett called one of the “worst home performances in a long time,” Portland beat Colorado, 3-0.
Here are three takeaways from a blowout loss to the Timbers.
“Wake-up call” for team leadership
Including Josh Atencio’s own goal in first-half stoppage time on Saturday night, the Rapids have conceded four goals in the final five minutes of first halves this season. The bigger gut punch against the Timbers was conceding another in the first five minutes after the break.
The own goal was a bit of a fluke — own goals are rare, and the Rapids were down to 10 men during that play after Kévin Cabral had to exit the game momentarily for injury — but closing and opening halves by conceding is a trend Colorado is looking to kick sooner rather than later.
“I think it’s maybe a few of us, leadership-wise, who could step in and see out halves better. If we were more on top of games and more in control, I think it would be a bit easier. Right now, it’s kind of back and forth,” Bassett said. “We’re not really set in these moments right before halftime. … I think it’s a learning moment and maybe a wake-up call for some of the leaders in the group to step up and make sure we get those moments right.”
Beaudry better than 3-0 scoreline in first home start
The two second-half Portland goals were both solid strikes that goalkeeper Adam Beaudry — in his first career start at home, with Zack Steffen away with the U.S. men’s national team — ultimately couldn’t do much about.
Despite an ugly scoreline, the 18-year-old Homegrown keeper showed flashes of brilliance a bit beyond his age and experience level.
Outside back Reggie Cannon was pleasantly surprised at how vocal Beaudry was in support or in barking orders on defensive set pieces. Rapids coach Chris Armas was impressed with the youngster’s distribution out of the back, both short- and long-distance. One long ball, he put on an absolute string to find Cabral nearly at the other box to set up an attack.
“It was good to get out in front of the fans for the first time. I had family out there supporting me, some friends out there, so to be able to play in front of them was something I’ll be grateful for,” Beaudry said. “(The distribution) is something Armas emphasizes with (the goalkeepers). It’s our playstyle. We want to put pressure on teams and force coincidence.”
“Play fast without rushing”
Offensively, the Rapids were a few inches or tight decisions away from creating dangerous chances or even scoring.
Armas alluded to his guys playing a bit too eager at times, particularly in front of a home crowd. Defensively, it can be a good thing to swarm and take the ball away as quickly as possible. But attacks need to be just a bit more methodical — an extra touch here and there to let the play develop.
“In the first half, we were on top of things, so in those moments when we won the ball, Josh Atencio, Oliver Larraz, Cole Bassett and fullbacks were jumping (to attack). We caused a lot of disruption,” Armas said. “In those moments, if we could just play fast without rushing. …
“It seemed a little antsy; we want to reward the fans, we want to get the goal, we want it now. It’s always tricky in transition, but (slowing down in) those moments can lead to chances.”
A fiery Charlotte FC — with 10 goals in five matches for second place in the east — is coming to town next Saturday at 2:30 p.m., the Rapids will have their hands full dealing with one of the best attacks they will have seen with Wilfried Zaha and rising star Patrick Agyemang.
That defense is quite formidable, too, with USMNT center back Tim Ream and reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina. If the Rapids can pull it together against a team like that at a week’s notice, it’s hard to think they couldn’t do it against anyone.
“It’s just taking a quick step back. That’s a (ticked-off) locker room right now,” Armas said. “We don’t harp on it, we look hard, we learn and we get right back to work.”
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