The Portland Timbers started early on the Colorado Rapids and hit a milestone to boot in the 12th minute. Coming off a quick free kick on the left wing, Rodney Wallace--freshly returned from Costa Rica international duty--played in a pinpoint cross to the top of the six. Frederic Piquionne leaped high and headed it down off the crossbar and in thus scoring the Timbers' 100th goal in their MLS history.
Then in the 45th minute, Wallace, who had been burning up the left channel all half, holds on to the ball in the 18-yard box before laying it off to an onrushing Will Johnson. Johnson volleys the ball up to himself and then fires it into the back of the net. It's 2-0 Portland.
In the 58th minute, Jack Jewsbury was in the right place. Colorado had momentarily unlocked the Timbers backline but on the ensuing shot, Jewsbury made a kick save and a beauty to help preserve the shutout.
Second half substitute Ryan Johnson sealed the win with a goal inteh 84th minute via assists from Ben Zemanski and Rodney Wallace--his third on the day.