cut back his touch into the penalty area
Castrillon nearly got things started in the 6th minute as he had a good look at a header but saw it saved by Portland keeper Troy Perkins. However, in the 18th minute, Castrillon left no doubt as Hunter Freeman made a nice heavy touch to free himself on the right side near the touch-line before sending a low ball across the goalmouth. Castrillon was waiting unmarked and the one-timer off his left shin easily found net.
Portland didn’t get their first shot off until the 32nd minute. Such was the defensive effort by Colorado and the ability to make the Timbers chase according to Head Coach John Spencer. “Every time the ball went up to our front players we gave it away-we couldn’t keep the ball in the offensive half. We were chasing and chasing and too many players having an off night tonight.”
Even with Freeman and left-back Luis Zapata picking their spots to press forward much of the night, Wynne was happy with the way everyone kept to their assignments. “We knew that a lot of their play was going to be through (Kris) Boyd or (Michael) Fucito coming short or running off so honestly I think our defense was really compact. As the game progresses you get smarter about it, and we maintained our focus for the whole game.”
Returning injured players to the lineup was vital for Colorado as Casey and Omar Cummings played 70+ minutes up front, and Smith made the most of his 15+ minutes as well, allowing the Rapids much more movement and options on the night.
Two second half subs connected on a nice play in the 89th minute to round out the scoring. Tony Cascio got to a good ball from Rivero down the left, cut back his touch into the penalty area, and chipped a nifty lob to a rushing Smith on the doorstep of goal. Seeing his first action after ACL recovery, Smith admitted he thought to himself, ‘don’t miss this’ before he knocked in the third Colorado goal on the night,Nnamdi Asomugha Jersey.
Just 5 minutes later,DeMarcus Ware Cowboys Jersey, Brian Mullan spotted Casey inside the penalty area and lofted a perfect ball for a trademark header. Conor split two defenders and placed the ball squarely inside the far post for the 2-0 lead on his first tally on the season.
Related articles Henry masterpiece captures fourth Player of the Week nod Kennedy on last-place Chivas: "One of the lower lows" Mapp marks return from injury with work rate down rightAfter two lackluster defeats in their last two MLS matches, the home-side Rapids took the game to Portland and never let up notching a 3-0 win in Commerce City on goals by Jaime Castrillon, Conor Casey, and Jamie Smith.
The second half saw Colorado dial back their direct pressure on goal but not their movement without the ball. By keeping possession away from Portland they were able to limit the frustrated Timbers to just 3 shots, none on goal, in the second 45 minutes. “We talked about that at halftime-holding the ball, keeping possession, and dominating the game,” said Rivero.
By Brian Jennings
The visitors had their best look in the 47th minute but Jeff Larentowicz gave up his body on an open shot by Portland’s Darlington Nagbe and keeper Matt Pickens was able to snag the harmless deflection in front of goal. After that, another Nagbe deflection and a shot over goal by Danny Mwanga were all the Timbers could muster in front of Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne, and the rest of the Rapids defense.
Midfielder Martin Rivero was again an instrumental part of the action all night as the Rapids dominated possession and held a shooting edge of 14-7 over the visiting Timbers. “That was the idea,J.J. Watt Youth Jersey, to win the midfield,” said the playmaking Rivero. “In the previous games, perhaps we didn't do that, but today we did so very well,Joe Flacco Jersey. The entire first half, we had the ball all the time and fortunately the goals came quickly,Randall Cobb Jersey.” That they did, which has been a rarity for Colorado in 2012-scoring first and early.
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