Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids , separated by only one point and one place in the Western Conference, will clash at Providence Park in MLS on Thursday.

The hosts are sixth in the Western Conference with 23 points from 15 matches, while the visitors are seventh in the standings with 22 points from their 15 fixtures.

Match preview

Portland Timbers have endured a challenging few years in MLS, missing out on the MLS Cup in 2022 and 2023 and exiting in the playoff round in 2024, a sharp contrast to their previous consistency, having qualified for the MLS Cup in each of the five seasons before, including two runner-up finishes.

Phil Neville , appointed ahead of last season, would have been pleased to guide the team to an MLS Cup playoff appearance - their first after two ye

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