MLS Portland Timbers

Rapids Defeat Timbers 3-0

Published on September 6, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - An early goal by forward Andre Akpan and a strike by midfielder Tony Cascio midway through the first half guided the Colorado Rapids to a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The Timbers (7-14-6, 27pts) fell to the Rapids just five days after defeating the Rapids 1-0 at JELD-WEN Field on Aug. 31. With the victory, Colorado (9-17-2, 29pts) ended Portland's two-match winning streak.

Cascio finished with a goal and an assist, midfielder Jaime CastrillÃ"n also recorded a goal and an assist, while defender Drew Moor registered two assists as the Rapids ended a four-match winless run.

Colorado took the early lead in just the sixth minute. Moor played the ball into the box from the right hand side of play, where it was then deflected off Cascio in front of goal. The ball found Akpan's right foot, and the forward fired it past Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from close range to make the score 1-0.

The Rapids took a 2-0 lead with a similar play midway through the first half. In the 27th minute, CastrillÃ"n sent in a ball from 30 yards out, where it found a wide-open Cascio in the box. Ricketts saved the initial shot from Cascio, but Cascio was able to recover and beat Ricketts on the follow, despite Ricketts getting a hand to it.

Portland had two solid chances to get on the board in the second half. In the 57th minute, midfielder Sal Zizzo sent in a cross that found forward Bright Dike alone in the box, but Dike's shot missed just high. In the 75th minute, midfielder Darlington Nagbe found a streaking Chara down the middle of the pitch. Chara got a shot off, but Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens came off his line to block Chara's one-on-one attempt.

The final goal of the night for the Rapids came in the 86th minute. A Kamani Hill corner kick found Moor in the box, who then headed the ball in front of goal. CastrillÃ"n was in position on the near post and headed the ball past Ricketts to make the final score 3-0.

The Timbers have an extended break before playing host to Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Sept. 15, at JELD-WEN Field in a nationally televised match on NBC; kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (Pacific). A live radio broadcast will be available on 750 AM The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940 AM.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 6, 2012


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