Origial MLS green team vs. the Newbie MLS green team

'Celo's inaugural Rapids jersey

For the 3rd time in just over a week the Rapids take the feel tomorrow against the Portland Timbers.  Colorado has only ever lost to Portland once,  but that was their one trip to the Rose City last season.  The Rapids need to bounce back after two losses where they should have gotten points while the Timbers are flying high under new coach Caleb Porter.  Game time is scheduled for 5pm MDT but since the game is on NBC Sports Network that usually means 30 minutes of pregame, so my bet is that kickoff is around 5:30pm MDT.

Injury Report:

OUT:  DF Diego Calderon (R knee Surgery), DF Brenton Griffiths (R shoulder dislocation); GK Matt Pickens (L arm fracture)
QUESTIONABLE: MF Jaime Smith (R groin strain)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED AFTER ONE YELLOW: MF Hendry Thomas
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOWS: MF Dillon Powers

Ineligible:

FW Charles Eloundou - Still waiting on International Transfer Certificate
DF Shane O'Neill - U.S. U-20 World Cup

The Timbers are down 5 players due to injury but it doesn't seem to be slowing them down.  The Rapids get Harris, Thomas, and Pareja back from suspension but have probably lost Rivero to the thigh injury he picked up Wednesday.  My guess at what we see:

I think Pareja saw how badly Mullan got beaten in Chicago and with 3 games in 8 days gives the veteran a rest.  Harris and Thomas will obviously go right back in at the expense of Castrillon and the injured Rivero.

Key To Look For: Apparently our defense has fallen apart over the last couple of games, so they need to get that focus back.  That's going to be tough against the highest scoring team in the league.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Harris.  Portland is scoring well and playing at home, a combination that I don't see this team overcoming.  Harris will find a goal to amke it interesting but the Rapids complete the hat-trick of 2-1 losses in 8 days.