The Portland Timbers only needed one goal to get the full three points over the Colorado Rapids tonight at Jeld-Wen Field. Bright Dike's efficient finish right before the halftime break gave the Timbers a 1-0 lead they they would not relinquish.
Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids, 2012 MLS: Dike Shines Bright in Timbers 1-0 Victory
Dike put Portland ahead 1-0 just before halftime finishing a cross from Sal Zizzo. It was nothing fancy, just simple hard work as Dike made a great run and the Rapids defense completely blew their marking. The Timbers should have had a second goal after Franck Songo'o found Darlington Nagbe with a fabulous ball, but Nagbe's chip went just wide of Troy Perkins' goal.
The Rapids were in control of the match, in terms of possession, for most of the second half but failed to ever really translate that in to consistent goal scoring opportunities. The Timbers defense did a good job of keeping the game in front of them and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made a couple good saves when the Rapids did threaten.
Colorado had a great chance in the 84th minute to equalize after a Omar Cummings flick-on header fell just out of the reach of an unmarked Jeff Larentowicz. The midfielder howled in frustration at the missed opportunity, basically summing up the Rapids evening. Colorado had one more great chance in stoppage time when Andre Akpan uncorked a wicked shot from just outside the Timbers box that went just wide of goal.
The win is the Timbers second in a row and their first clean sheet since May.
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