The defending MLS Cup champions are off to a good start in 2011, taking an early lead in front of a much bigger than usual crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. They’re up 1-0 on the expansion Portland Timbers who, despite being an expansion side and down a goal, don’t look exactly like an expansion side so far.
Colorado Rapids Vs. Portland Timbers: Jeff Larentowicz Opens The Scoring
The goal came just eight minutes into the match, with Jeff Larentowicz cleaning up a mess in front of the goal. Omar Cummings made an excellent play to keep the ball from going out of bounds at the endline, and Larentowicz, coming forward from his holding midfield position, was the man who applied the finish.
Portland almost equalized immediately afterwards through Jorge Perlaza. It’s been a pretty open game so far, despite the presence of Colorado’s two experienced holding midfielders. The Rapids have been ambitious so far and have allowed Portland to compete with them. It will be interesting to see if Colorado elects to park the bus later in the match, something they are very good at.
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