Portland Timbers beat Colorado Rapids 2-1 at Providence Park and stayed undefeated at home this season. The team came from trailing the score to score in second half goals from Antony and Kevin Kelsy and took advantage of the man-up as Colorado played with ten players in the last part of the game.
The victory places the Timbers in the Western Conference fifth with 26 points and extends their home undefeated run to seven games, continuing their good form at home. The Rapids sit eighth with 22 points.
Colorado gets the advantage with Mihailovic
Rapids were ahead in the 33rd minute of the opening half. Sam Bassett played the pass to Djordje Mihailovic down the left flank, took the ball to the box, and scored with his left foot in the far post past Crepéau.
The game put Portland under pressure, as they needed a win to stay in touch with the conference table leaders. Despite a home game, the team was slow to respond and only started to create more evident opportunities in the second half.
Antony ties the game and keeps his winning streak against the Rapids
Portland was leveled in the 59th minute with a goal from Antony. It was started by David Da Costa, who made a run down the middle and beat Colorado's defenses to create space. The ball was played straight to Antony, who shot with his right foot on his first touch, giving goalkeeperr Defreitas-Hansen no opportunity to make the save.
It was his sixth in six games against the Colorado Rapids. He posted a clean sheet on this team and came in once more at the opportune moment.
Comeback completed by Kelsy
The equalizer came in the 75th minute courtesy of Kevin Kelsy. Juan Mosquera sprinted down his right flank and played a low diagonal in to the far post. Kelsy was in place and struck first-time past the goalkeeper.
It was his first at Providence Park. It made him the lone 20-year-old and under this season in the league to score at least three game-winners in regular season games. It was also his fifth of the season, which tied him with Antony as the league's leading scorer.
Win retains Portland home dominance
The victory against Colorado Rapids extended the Portland Timbers' home game unbeaten run. They have not lost at Providence Park for seven games and have four wins and three draws to their credit. They've defeated Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, Austin FC, and Colorado in the period.
They've drawn with LAFC, LA Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders. They have four home victories, a home draw, and three home defeats this season. They have also scored 13 home goals. Portland's home form has been instrumental in keeping the team close to the top of the table.