After a weather-related postponement delayed the second half of the match eight days, the Portland Timbers drew the Colorado Rapids, 0-0, on the road Wednesday.
With the result, the Timbers (5-9-8, 23 points) remain 12th in the Western Conference. The Rapids (3-10-9, 18 points) stay in last place out of 14 teams.
The first half on July 4 was relatively uneventful and scoreless amid heavy rain, leaving an opportunity for both teams to seize the moment as the match came out of halftime Wednesday with clear skies and fresh legs.
Portland was without a substitute previously available in this match, Santiago Moreno, who after a transfer request last week was absent at Timbers training this week and did not travel back to Colorado. A source close to Moreno told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the 23-year-old midfielder — who is seeking an improved contract with the Timbers — is at home in Colombia.
In the 51st minute, on a Colorado corner, Rapids forward Darren Yapi had a golden opportunity close to goal as the ball fell in a dangerous spot. But Timbers defender Dario Zuparic was there to stick his foot firmly in the way, blocking a shot and eventually clearing the ball.
In the 56th minute, Marvin Loría’s cross found the head of Nathan Fogaça at the end of a solid run of play, but Fogaça wasn’t able to get the header down and on-target.
Portland had another chance in the 58th as Cristhian Paredes let a pass from Fogaça through his legs and ahead to Franck Boli, whose powerful shot was on-target and saved.
Boli took a long, dropping shot in the 61st minute that smacked off the crossbar, very nearly beating the out-of-position keeper.
With plenty of green space in front of the Timbers on a counterattack, a cross from Juan David Mosquera was behind Boli. Although he contorted his body to get off a shot, Boli wasn’t able to put one on-frame.
Braian Galván had a powerful shot in the 68th minute for Colorado, but it sailed high.
Diego Chará received a yellow card in the 69th minute for Portland. In the 70th, the Timbers brought on substitutes Dairon Asprilla and Sebastián Blanco for Fogaça and Loría.
Victor Griffith — in his MLS debut called up from T2 — received a yellow card in the 76th minute after delaying a Colorado free kick. Boli received a yellow card in the 78th on a dangerous challenge.
One minute later, Felipe Mora replaced Boli in a substitution planned before the yellow card.
Neither team could find the winner down the stretch, although a dangerous header by Colorado’s Cole Bassett in the first minute of stoppage time made it interesting. Portland hung on to earn a point on the road as it still looks up at the playoff line.
Next up: The Timbers return home for a matchup with the Columbus Crew, a night when club legend Diego Valeri will be inducted into the Timbers ring of honor. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park, with pregame and halftime ceremonies scheduled to honor Valeri. The match will be available to stream live on the Apple TV app with a subscription to MLS Season Pass.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
