With a tightly contested race in the Western Conference as the backdrop, the Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids got off to an uneven start at JELD-WEN Field.
All that changed in the 13th minute when, following a Colorado free kick from their own end, Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace leapt high to intercept the ball and head back into play. Diego Valeri pounced on the loose ball, spied Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin off his line and deftly chipped the ball over him into the back of the net. 1-0 Portland.
