Timbers fall 1-0 to Rapids to drop out of top spot in the West

The Portland Timbers were unable to find the back of the net Wednesday night and conceded a late winner in the 84th minute to the Colorado Rapids, sealing a 1-0 result in favor of the visitors.

The Timbers entered the match as the top-seed in the Western Conference by a slight margin in percentage points over Sporting Kansas City, but SKC now takes back over the number-one seed as they were idle.  With tonight’s result, the Timbers (11-7-5) sit on 38 points through 23 matches, putting their points per game mark at 1.65, good enough for third in the West behind SKC (1.8) and Seattle Sounders (1.71) entering decision day on Sunday.

The Timbers conclude the regular season this Sunday afternoon at Los Angeles FC.

Portland somehow evaded conceding a penalty kick early in the first half, when a handball in the box was initially called against center back Bill Tuiloma, but upon review from VAR, the ruling was reversed and no penalty was given, much to Colorado’s chagrin.

The two sides remained scoreless at the half, and the Timbers remained without a shot on target well into the second half.

The Rapids (28 points, 8-6-4 through 18 matches played) clinched a playoff spot with the victory.

Colorado finally broke the scoreless affair in the 84th minute thanks to a goal from sub Kellyn Acosta, his second goal of the season.

Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark made a big save to keep the Timbers within striking distance in the 90th minute, but after five minutes of stoppage time, the Timbers were unable to find the equalizer.

Late substitute Dairon Asprilla, making his first appearance since a lengthy absence from injury, had a shot near the death in the box, but it went just wide.

Diego Chara also earned a yellow card in this match, putting him on yellow card accumulation suspension.  He will miss Sunday’s regular season finale at LAFC.

Pregame for Portland @ LAFC is set for 2:30pm with kickoff at 3:30pm on 750 AM and 750TheGame.com.