COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids (2-10-8, 14 pts) will host the Portland Timbers (5-9-7, 22 pts) at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park this Tuesday, July 4, for the club’s annual Independence Day matchup (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV – MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
Colorado hosts the Timbers following a 2-0 loss against expansion side St. Louis CITY SC in their first-ever encounter at CITYPARK just three days prior. Rapids forward Kévin Cabral forced a key save from goalkeeper Roman Bürki in the opening minute, but the home side responded three minutes later via Tim Parker who headed in a corner kick from Aziel Jackson. Jared Stroud then doubled St. Louis’ lead just seven minutes later, and although the Rapids would end up out possessing the home side, they were ultimately unable to climb back from the deficit. Midfielder Cole Bassett set a club record during the match for the most regular-season minutes played by a Homegrown player in club history (5,392), surpassing Dillon Serna's previous record of 5,302 minutes.
Rapids midfielder Bryan Acosta, who featured for Honduras in all three of their 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup matches, is set to return after missing the club’s last two games. However, midfielder Ralph Priso will be unavailable for selection on Tuesday due to yellow card accumulation, while rookie defender Moïse Bombito is still with the Canadian national team at the Gold Cup and will also be unavailable.
The Timbers head into Tuesday's match following a 4-1 defeat against Minnesota United FC on the road over the weekend. After conceding two goals on the cusp of halftime, Franck Boli put Portland back in the game with a 60th-minute strike, but Minnesota added two more goals to secure the win. Boli, with six goals this season, has been the primary goal scorer for Portland, with Boli and Evander accounting for the team's last eight league goals. Notably, the Timbers have nine different players who have provided multiple assists this season, with midfielders Santiago Moreno and Diego Chara leading the team with six and four assists, respectively. Portland has struggled on the road, however, recording only one win (1-6-5) and being outscored 21-9 away from home.
Since their inception in 2011, the Timbers have faced the Rapids 27 times all time, slightly leading the series with a 11-10-6 regular-season record. Historically, both teams have had more success playing at home, with only two home losses for each club; the Rapids boast a record of 8-2-4 at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park when hosting the Timbers.
Tuesday's match will mark the 27th edition of the annual 4thFest. A long-standing club tradition since 1996, the Independence Day holiday game includes a family festival and block party before the match, followed by the state's largest public fireworks display afterward. Colorado has a 13-7-6 (W-L-D) all-time record in 4thFest games; the Rapids and Timbers have faced off ton July 4 only once before, resulting in a scoreless draw in 2016.
