Leagues Cup Recap & Reaction: Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids
Fortunately, the Timbers made the departure of a stalwart one for the books
The Portland Timbers won their Leagues Cup group and advanced to the round of 32 in style, blowing away the Colorado Rapids 4-0. Four different players for the Timbers scored, as Antony, David Ayala, Mason Toye, and Santiago Moreno all contributed to the rout.
Last Call For Larrys
A day before the match, longtime Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala announced that he was stepping away from professional soccer, and that tonight would be his last game with Portland.
The past two season had taken a toll on Mabiala mentally, and so the stalwart centerback made the decision to step away from the game to reassess and plan out his next step.
While his form the past two years haven’t been the best, Larrys has still been at the heart of some signature Timbers moments over the years. He provided a steadfastness and reliability in the back in his prime, and he departs as a figure who will be remembered fondly by the fans.
Match Recap
Just as fans were settling into their seats with their beverages, Maxime Crepeau produced a save that probably got everyone right back out of them, as he palmed aside a point-blank save that denied Colorado a second-minute opener.
And just in case anyone missed it, Crepeau produced yet another wonder save not two minutes later, as he pushed away an attempt from Rafael Navarro — again at point-blank range — to keep the match level before we were even five minutes in.
Don’t let those spectacular saves distract you from the fact that Portland were chasing shadows defensively early on. Portland attempted to implement an aggressive counterpress, but the midfield duo of David Ayala and Cristhian Paredes couldn’t get on the same page early. And so, Colorado’s midfield was able to control the middle of the pitch and attack Portland down the wings.
But just as it was in their previous match against Club Leon, Portland grew into the game as the half progressed. The counter-press started to click, and the attacking line started to find more and more chances higher up the pitch.
It culminated in Antony springing up to haunt the Rapids yet again and open the scoring. Ayala pinged a perfect cross-field pass to the feet of Juan Mosquera, who dinked a ball into the box. Felipe Mora headed it down to Antony, who absolutely smashed the ball through the charging Zack Steffen’s legs and into the back of the net.
It was very pretty sequence from the Timbers and a just reward for Antony, who was lively to start the game.
Which made the moment when the winger had to leave the game so much more cruel. After a very clumsy challenge from Andreas Maxsø on Antony sent both players down and got Maxsø shown a yellow card, the Brazilian tried to soldier on but unfortunately was unable to. Picking up what appeared to be an upper quad or left hip injury, he was replaced by Santiago Moreno in the 38th minute.
The first half wound down with Portland still carrying momentum, but being unable to find the back of the net again. The Timbers went into the halftime locker room holding the edge in possession, shots, and of course — goals.
Before the second half, Portland brought on Mason Toye for Mora, giving the newest Timbers attacker his longest extended run out and his first minutes as the lone striker.
He would make the most of those minutes about 25 minutes after entering the game.
But first, the Timbers had to once again contend with a lively opponent in the second half. Colorado — again, just like Leon on Sunday — came out the more determined of the two sides for the second half. They even generated one or two good looks that could have drawn the game level.
Instead, it was Portland who once again found their footing — and extended their advantage.
On a corner kick — which, again, I must add Portland started scoring from in the year of our lord 2024 just last game — Evander sent a ball in towards the near post. Paredes headed it along towards the back post where Ayala was waiting. The young Argentine made no mistake, and headed home in the 52nd minute to tally his first goal in Timbers colors and double Portland’s lead.
Ayala’s goal seemed to smother whatever kind of hope the Rapids had mustered, as they wilted on the field. And as a result, the Timbers obliged by opening the floodgates.
In the 69th minute, Juan Mosquera picked off a poor Rapids giveaway and went on a nice lung-busting run down the line. He played in a great through ball for Toye, who had timed his run to perfection. The newest Timbers striker made no mistake, and he blasted an absolute rocket into the roof of the net to open his Timbers account.
Not two minutes after that, Santiago Moreno piled on the pain for the visitors. The Timbers collected the ball at the top of their own box and went on a quick counter. Evander played a simply outrageous two-touch pass in for Moreno, who collected the ball and took it himself, firing a laser past Steffen to complete the rout.
For the second time in just a little mover five months, the Portland Timbers had put four past the Colorado Rapids in Providence Park. It was an impressive and mature stretch for the Timbers, who once again weathered a shaky start to grow into the game and then absolutely blow by their opponent.
In the 80th minute, just as the Timbers Army produced sunflowers and began serenading the field with “You are My Sunshine”, Larrys Mabiala subbed on for his final appearance for the club. He was greeted by a roaring applause from the crowd, and was given the captain’s armband by Evander for his last minutes as a Timber.
The final minutes of the game were academic, as Portland coasted to yet another quality win in the Leagues Cup. They won their group in style, with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Rapids. They advance to the round of 32, and will await results elsewhere to find out where and whom they will play.
Scoring Summary:
Portland: Antony (30’), Ayala (52’), Toye (69’), Moreno (71’)
Colorado: Nope
Next Up:
Portland will have to wait until Sunday to find out their Leagues Cup round of 32 opponent. Due to homefield advantage being determined by 2023 Supporter’s Shield standings, the Timbers will either travel away to St. Louis or host Liga MX club FC Juarez. The round of 32 will be played from August 7-9.
Reaction
Man, the Colorado Rapids are going to have nightmares of Timber Joey’s chainsaw, aren’t they? Just like it was in the season opener, Portland absolutely walloped Colorado, taking advantage of momentum and playing some pretty good soccer to boot.
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