The Portland Timbers continue their quest for the playoffs with a key match-up against fellow Western Conference hopeful Colorado Rapids on Saturday night (6pm PT, KPDX). Winless over their last seven matches and just one win in their last eleven, the Rapids will be looking to get back on track. Both teams have earned a win against each other this season with Colorado beating Portland at home 2-0 on Mar. 22 with the Timbers proving victorious at Providence Park 2-1 on July 18. Here's five numbers to know for this final regular season battle between the two.
Thirty twoThe Timbers have been able to flow freely on offense lately, taking an astonishing 32 shots against San Jose on Sept. 7--the most in any MLS match since 1998. Of those shots, 13 were on-goal, which amounted to more than the Earthquakes had in the entirety of the match.
9 Colorado has been staunch at home. Within the confines of Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids have collected a home goal differential of of +9, tying them for fourth-best in MLS. However, over their recent seven game slide, including both home and away matches, they are a -16 over the stretch.
47Portland continued their goal-scoring efforts against San Jose at Providence Park last week, rallying to knock in three goals. That gave them 47 on the season, the third-most behind LA and Seattle for best in MLS.
12Diego Valeri has arguably been one of the most vital players for Portland this season, and no more was that evident than against San Jose. Valeri notched another three assists giving him 12 on the season so far. Valeri became just the second Timbers player all-time (all eras) to register 12 or more assists in consecutive seasons, joining NASL Timbers midfielder John Bain (1980, 1981).
1 + 1Alvas Powell made his mark in Caleb Porter's starting XI in a big way. Against the Earthquakes, Powell not only assisted on Kalif Alhassan's equalizing goal in the 86th minute, but put a beautiful chested ball past an overactive defense on a chipped pass from Valeri.
