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Colorado Rapids Comeback To Beat Portland Off Alan Gordon Last Minute Goal

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COMMERCE CITY, CO (June 17, 2017) – Another home game, another comeback win for the Colorado Rapids. Thanks to an 89th minute goal from Alan Gordon, the Rapids defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1 on Saturday.

Rapids Manager Pablo Mastroeni started his side in a 4-4-2. Tim Howard wore the Captain’s Armband in goal. Axel Sjoberg returned to the Starting XI next to Marlon Hairston. Michael Azira and Mohammed Saied highlighted the midifield. Dominique Badji and Kevin Doyle started up top.

Timber Head Coach Cale Porter had to make some changes with Liam Ridgewell out. Jake Gleeson was in goal in front of center backs Roy Miller and Lawrence Olum. The five man midfield was led by Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, and Diego Chara. Fanendo Adi was the lone striker.

Colorado Rapids Comeback To Beat Portland Off Alan Gordon Stoppage Time Goal

The match began with a good pace. Portland had more the ball and worked through Dairon Asprilla and Sebastian Blanco to create chances. Colorado looked to clog the middle and counter attack with their wide players. Mike Da Fonte got a rare start. He worked one flank, sending several crosses into the box towards Doyle. Saied did the same from the other flank.

It was the Timbers that drew first blood. In the 18th minute, Blanco recieved a cross from Valeri out wide. He made a quick run towards goal, cut inside around Azira, and fired a shot into the top corner past Howard.

Portland continued to attack well through Blanco. Watts and Azira did well swarming Valeri any time he got on the ball. The center backs marked Adi well. This left a roaming Blanco open, who worked both sides of the field to get open and create chances.

The match took a rough turn in the 25th minute when Da Fonte had to come out for medical attention. The full back sustained a head injury and was bleeding around his left eyebrow. It was unclear from the replays what happened. No foul was called on the play. The 26-year-old returned to the field a few minutes later.

The half ended 0-1 with the Rapids getting severa decent chances. Portland outshot them in the first half 7-6 (3-1 on target).

Portland picked up where they left off in the second half. Adi and Blanco led the charge getting several opportunities. With numbers upfield, the Rapids were able to get back in the game. Doyle got the ball off a turnover in the 51st minute. He picked his head up and saw Badji streaking upfiend. The Irishman sent a perfect pass that split the defense. Badji ran past the backline and chipped Gleeson as he came off his line. The match was tied 1-1.

That goal woke up Colorado. They had several good cycles with Hairston getting forward and serving crosses to Doyle. The game began to open up after that, with both sides asking questions. Kevin Doyle led the way for the home side, getting chanes with his head and feet.

Colorado finished the game off at the death. Substitute Alan Gordon came on and headed a cross from Saeid into the back of the net in the 89th minute. It was Gordon’s first goal in Burgundy and he celebrated in typical Gordo fashion (taking his shirt off).

The match ended 2-1. This is a massive result for the home side. They got three points against a top team and adjusted well as the match went on. It has to feel good for Gordon to get his first goal with his new team, especially the way he did it. For Portland, they had the better of the play, but didn’t finis their chances. Porter will have some things to work on in training next week.

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