The Timbers advance to Colorado their third games in eight days, after a busy week which saw a deflating loss in Toronto, a Timbers Army protest, a much-needed victory over DC United, and some fireworks from owner Merritt Paulson.

This last game, Saturday at 6:00 PM at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in the Denver suburb of Commerce City — site of the 2015 MLS All-Star Game — is the most important. The Rapids are a Western Conference opponent, the only one, in fact, that is currently below the Timbers in the standings. This the rubber-match in this three-game stretch. Win, and the Timbers vault into the thick of the playoff chase. Lose, and the team falls into last place.

The History

Portland and Colorado, while nowhere near true rivals, have played some very entertaining games over the years. Last year, the teams split three matches down the middle, each winning, losing, and drawing one. The Timbers won their home match with the Rapids last year on a 25-yard thunderbolt from Diego Valeri, in Liam Ridgewell's first start with the club.

Dick's Sporting Goods Park was the stadium in which the Timbers made their MLS debut, losing 3-1 in their first ever match in 2011. The return trip that year saw the Rapids net a stoppage time winner in Portland in a match that then-Portland manager John Spencer was sent off in.

The Tactics

Caleb Porter has a lot to juggle heading into this match. Diego Valeri, Will Johnson, and Diego Chara all will be unavailable — Valeri has a sprained ankle, Johnson recovering from starting Wednesday's match, and Chara is suspended.

That all means that we could have an opening day redux with Jack Jewsbury and George Fochive starting in central midfield. Johnson could make the bench as cover, but the Timbers will be loathe to use him. Dairon Asprilla deserves another start after an impressive showing against DC, while biggest question could be if Gaston Fernandez is favored again to Rodney Wallace in Valeri's place.

Maxi Urruti looks set to start over a dire Fanendo Adi, with rumblings of the Timbers looking for a new DP striker heating up again. Nat Borchers should return in central defense in place of Norberto Paparatto, who started and played well in the DC match. That marked the first time that Portland hadn't started the same back-four all year.

The Rapids, meanwhile, have been playing soccer as of late. Their defense has developed a spine, and while they're not exactly going to scare anyone, they can certainly hang with the depleted Timbers. Colorado doesn't have Dillon Serna or Dillon Powers, both with the US U-23 national team, but they do have former Timber Michael Harrington.

The Lineup

12 - Kwarasey
2 - Powell
24 - Ridgewell (C)
7 - Borchers
19 - Villafaña
13 - Jewsbury
26 - Fochive
11 - Asprilla
6 - Nagbe
10 - Fernandez
37 - Urruti

The Pick

These are two teams that, as of this moment, aren't very good. Both will play it tight to the vest, both will make a few mistakes, and a draw seems the most likely outcome. 1-1.