The Portland Timbers showed good form on Saturday night at Providence Park vs. the Colorado Rapids. Sebastián Blanco had a first-half penalty kick goal while Jarosław Niezgoda added two goals after the break for the 3-0 victory.
Both teams would see a few good first-half chances, but goalkeepers William Yarbrough and Aljaž Ivačič would do well to keep the match scoreless until first-half stoppage time. Timbers midfielder Santiago Moreno ran onto a nice pass from Claudio Bravo that had him open at the top of the Colorado box. But Rapids goalkeeper Yarbrough charged out and collided with Moreno inside the box, which would result in the Colorado goalkeeper leaving the match injured, but the Timbers being awarded a penalty kick. Sebastián Blanco took the kick and would score for the home side, and the Timbers held the 1-0 lead at the break.
In the 49th minute the visitors would have a good chance to draw level when Colorado striker Diego Rubio had a nice free kick from 25 yards out that was only kept out by a nice save from Ivačič, who recovered quickly then made a nice save on a follow-up shot from midfielder Michael Barrios.
But in the 54th minute, the Timbers would double their lead on a play that started with a very long arching pass from Bill Tuiloma that Jarosław Niezgoda would chest down near the top of the Colorado box, then one-time a shot past substitute goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez and inside the right post, and the Timbers lead was now 2-0.
In the 61st minute the Timbers would add another goal to their lead when midfielder Eryk Williamson was left unmarked as he entered the Rapids box from the side, and slid a low cross across the goalmouth that was redirected into goal from just a few yards out by Niezgoda, and the Timbers lead was now 3-0.
Just ten minutes later the Timbers nearly added a fourth when Tuiloma’s free kick from 25 yards out rattled off the right post, but rebounded clear.
Both teams would have a few moderately good scoring opportunities in the remaining minutes but the Timbers would hold on for the 3-0 win.
Aljaž Ivačič had four saves for the Timbers while William Yarbrough and Abraham Rodriguez had four saves between them for the Rapids.
MATCH RECAP | Niezgoda with brace as Portland Timbers tame Colorado Rapids 3-0 | Timbers website
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | Portland Timbers claim 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids | Timbers website
