World News – United States – Rapids Clinch MLS Playoff Berth with 1-0 Win Over Timbers

PORTLAND, Ore: Kellyn Acosta scored in the 83rd minute and the Colorado Rapids clinched a playoff berth with a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night

The Rapids (7-6-4) have canceled five games this season due to coronavirus cases But instead of total points Major League Soccer decided to use points per game for playoff position playoffs, increasing Colorado’s odds with fewer games played

The Rapids moved closer to a playoff berth after a 3-1 home win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday

Steve Clark made three saves for Portland (11-6-5), unbeaten in their previous four games, including wins in the last two

The Timbers entered the game as the best team in the Western Conference, but the Sounders, also near the top of the standings, were playing in a late game against the Galaxy

Portland has been hurt by the loss of Jaroslaw Niezgoda, who tore his left ACL in a 1-0 win over Vancouver last weekend Niezgoda, who has scored eight goals, will miss the rest of the season

It was the second major knee injury for the Timbers this season In September, forward Sebastian Blanco tore his right ACL Blanco was the MVP in this summer’s MLS is Back tournament in Florida

Portland was also without forward Jeremy Ebobisse for the fourth game in a row because of a concussion

The Rapids were awarded a 15th-minute penalty when the ball struck Bill Tuilomas hand after breaking off his foot, but the appeal was overturned by video criticism

After a scoreless first half, Acosta finally broke through for his second goal of the season

It was the 14th goal conceded in the last 15 minutes of a game for Portland this season

Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, Kellyn Acosta, MLS