Commerce City, Colorado (March 2, 2019) – The Portland Timbers and the Colorado Rapids play to a 3-3 draw in what we will come to know as Snow Classico number three.
In a riveting match, Colorado and Portland played to a draw as the snow came down in Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids dominated the first 25 minutes of the game and opened up the scoring with a wonderful team goal put away by Kei Kamara. Portland took control of the game after a controversial red card and penalty, and ended the half leading 2-1; a converted penalty by Valeri and a headed corner by Blanco putting them up. Feilhaber made an impressive solo run to score the equalizer and from that point on, Colorado mostly dominated the game. Portland pulled one back through a Deklan Wynne own goal against the run of play. The moment of the match, however, came in the 94th minute. 22-year-old Andre Shinyashiki scored the game-winner on his professional debut. The game ends in a 3-3 draw.
S ❄️ C C E R #COLvPOR pic.twitter.com/T1Y3zTVVeK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 3, 2019
Three Takeaways
Kei Kamara Does What he Does
The Colorado Rapids have had a tough 2 years. After having an incredible run in 2016, the team struggled for two years to really generate anything. Then comes Kei Kamara. The MLS veteran showed that he is what the Rapids need going forward. Even outside of scoring the first goal of the game, the 34-year-old showed his ability to win fouls and attract both center-backs at the same time.
Portland’s Defensive Woes Continue
As predicted, Mabiala and Cascante struggled to contain Kei Kamara and Deigo Rubio (when he was on the pitch). Throughout the game, the two had a hard time dealing with runs coming at and around them. The first goal is a great example of this. Though Colorado’s movement was impressive on the goal, Cascante failed to track Kamara close enough, giving Acosta space to get him the ball.
Colorado Rapids Clawback
When the Timbers scored their third goal against the run of play, it seemed like the Rapids had no way of coming back. But the Rapids never gave up and eventually found a way to win. This is attitude is one that was rarely seen in the past two years and could very well point to a promising season for Colorado.
The @ColoradoRapids tie it up in the final seconds of stoppage with a man down and blizzard conditions! pic.twitter.com/DntxsNqWMa
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 3, 2019
