Chris Armas talks often about how thin the margins are in Major League Soccer, but there aren’t very many swings as consequential as at the hour mark of Wednesday’s match between the Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers.
The Rapids, already up a goal thanks to an incredible solo run and finish by Djordje Mihailovic, nearly doubled the lead with a point-blank shot off the crossbar by Sam Bassett in the 59th minute. It gave the Timbers space and numbers to counter, and Antony, with his sixth goal in as many matches against the Rapids, equalized moments later on the ensuing attack.
A Wayne Frederick red card and another Timbers counterattack goal by Kevin Kelsy later, the Rapids fell, 2-1. The Rapids have struggled at Providence Park historically, but it’s been even worse in recent years, having not won there since 2020. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, the Rapids have beaten Portland once but have been outscored 14-4 in those five matches.
Here are three takeaways from a good night turned ugly in Portland:
Lead fumbled, but squad encouraged
Once Colorado went down a man, Portland broke the game open and created transition opportunities. The Rapids set up in a low block defensively to counteract those moments, but it’s tough to do so with one less guy on the field.
Nonetheless, the Rapids had a few good chances to steal a draw toward the end. Substitute winger Calvin Harris had the two most convincing: a late move and blast right at Timbers keeper Maxime Crépeau from the left side of the six-yard box, then a stoppage-time dribble into the 18-yard box where he was tackled by Diego Chara right at the edge of the area. VAR dismissed calls for a foul.
“I’m proud of my team. The way they showed up tonight and the way they played, the way they stuck to what we set out to do and stood tall in the tough moments after the red card,” Armas said. “I’m proud of the effort. I have to accept that the game does this to you sometimes, where, even when you think things are going alright, little moments can sway games.”
Mihailovic knows he should be USMNT-bound
With a 10-day break from MLS play looming, Mihailovic cancelled personal plans over the next week on a whim that he could replace a U.S. National Team member in the case of an injury or otherwise, according to the Apple TV broadcast.
After being included on the 60-player preliminary USMNT roster for the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup, Mihailovic was left off the 27-man roster for the pre-tournament camp and friendlies. He still has a chance to make the final 26-player Gold Cup roster since he was included on the initial list.
Like Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady did for an injured Patrick Schulte, Mihailovic could theoretically slot into the camp if a midfielder became unavailable.
Either way, with how he’s played for the Rapids, there’s little reason to suggest he shouldn’t be given a shot. He was invited to camp and friendlies in January, but declined to finish rehab on a nasty ankle injury he suffered at the end of last year.
He had to exit the Portland match with a hamstring injury — Armas called it cramps rather than a pull or a strain — but it looked like he treated Wednesday night like a tryout.
His goal was straight out of a video game: Take the ball at midfield, dribble past a pair of defenders and tuck it into the far-post netting against one of the better MLS keepers of this generation.
It was his seventh goal of the season and 10th goal contribution in 16 matches.
A bevy of notable USMNT stars won’t play in the competition, including Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie.
“Yeah, of course,” midfielder Oliver Larraz said when asked if Mihailovic deserves a Gold Cup spot. “I’d love to see him there.”
Jackson Travis’s Kobe moment
The youngest Rapids defender is also the toughest, or at least he was against Portland.
He had an early moment Wednesday night that would have made Kobe Bryant proud. In the ninth minute, he went down with a dislocated pinky finger on his left hand. The broadcast showed it briefly before cutting away, but Travis wore an unfazed face while trainers worked to relocate and stabilize the finger.
He played all 90 minutes.
“(Travis) has struggled with injuries before, too, but he’s a trooper and he’s a really hard worker,” midfielder Oliver Larraz said. “I think that’s a common theme amongst us and you see that tonight. Jackson is a good example of that. He stayed ready and he’s coming into these games and has played well.”
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Whether by incidental contact or lack of hydration, Travis has undergone and endured plenty this season, but hasn’t allowed it to halt his development. He’s become a staple on Colorado’s back line, starting six of the last seven first-team matches while beating out Sam Vines and Keegan Rosenberry for starting outside back spots.
At the end of 2024, he was thrust into a bigger role with Vines out with an injury. Typically, it was a win to see Travis blending in. This season, he’s standing out for all the right reasons. He makes good decisions, can disrupt passes or runs and his speed makes him a threat to join the attack.
The Rapids return home to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 7 for a rematch against Austin FC.
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