Phil Neville says the Portland Timbers are “in it to win it” towards the Colorado Rapids, although he expects a tricky check versus a Coach of the 12 months candidate in Chris Armas.
Portland sit eighth within the Western Convention standings, occupying a wild-card spot however sitting one level adrift of the Houston Dynamo within the ultimate automated playoff place.
They’ve taken 4 factors from two video games because the Leagues Cup break, drawing 4-4 with St. Louis Metropolis then beating their native rivals, the Seattle Sounders, 1-0 final outing.
Neville is aware of a go to to Colorado, who’re 4 factors and 4 locations above them within the standings, will show a tricky task, however he has confidence in his facet.
“We’re developing towards a coach who might be one of many Coach of the 12 months candidates in Chris Armas, he’s performed an unimaginable job,” Neville stated.
“The boys have skilled effectively after having some relaxation, they’ve skilled arduous. Gamers have come again from worldwide responsibility match and effectively.
“We’re trying ahead in the direction of one of the crucial pivotal intervals in all of MLS. I feel we’re coming to in all probability the final 100 metres of the race, and as they are saying, we’re in it to win it.”
Colorado beat FC Dallas 3-2 on their return to league motion final outing, having completed third within the Leagues Cup in August.
Head coach Armas stated: “It’s actually good to be again after a couple of days off. The vitality within the staff is nice, we’re choosing up the place we left off after a extremely busy and profitable August.
“We actually have our sights set on this weekend, after which on what’s forward – and that’s the playoffs.
“For positive we’re trying ahead to a different residence recreation and we’re going to take it one step at a time.”
We’re again in our mountain fortress
Watch the total Sport Trailer on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV » https://t.co/vH92wMfiST#Rapids96 | @uchealth pic.twitter.com/ckGJCe3wgC
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 12, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Darren Yapi
Yapi scored Colorado’s winner towards Dallas final outing on August 31, and each of his profession MLS targets have now come within the ninetieth minute or later.
He’s certainly one of three MLS gamers with a number of targets in 2024 with all of them coming within the ninetieth minute or later, alongside Miguel Berry and Julian Fernandez.
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander has a objective contribution in eight straight MLS matches, the second-longest streak within the Timbers’ historical past, behind Diego Valeri’s 9 straight in his MVP-winning 2017 season.
Evander’s 27 objective contributions (12 targets, 15 assists) total in 2024 are the second most in an MLS season for Portland (Valeri – 32 in 2017).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Portland’s win over Seattle featured their sixth clear sheet of their final 15 video games in all competitions. By means of their first 15 matches of 2024, Portland didn’t file a single shutout.
Colorado, in the meantime, have gained their final two MLS video games by a 3-2 scoreline, versus Actual Salt Lake and Dallas. Solely as soon as beforehand have the Rapids netted no less than three targets in three straight MLS matches, doing so in April 1998.
Portland have gained three straight matches towards Colorado in all competitions for the second time (additionally doing so in 2017-18). Neither staff has recorded a four-match successful streak over the opposite within the 32-match historical past of the collection, so a draw may very well be on the playing cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 40.2%
Portland Timbers – 33.2%
Draw – 26.6%
