Timbers vs Colorado Rapids Match Preview, and the League's Fires That Burn Behind It
The Timbers face the Colorado Rapids in the first match of the regular amid a volatile backdrop within the league.
The MLS regular season is finally here.
After two seasons without a playoff run, the Timbers have brought about a much needed top to bottom refresh that’s still in process.
Lead by new coach Phil Neville, two pillars of defense in center-back Kamal Miller and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, along with a new designated player that’s expected to play as a forward and be announced imminently, the Timbers look and feel renovated, fitting with the theme of their new kit sponsor DaBella. They play their first match against the under-achieving Colorado Rapids at home Saturday, February 24th.
The MLS as a whole is in a slightly different boat. In its most anticipated season potentially since its inception, the league just can’t make anyone happy whether it’s the uncertainty the US Open Cup or the current referee strike that’s causing MLS’s opening day to be officiated by college and youth refs. As exciting as the beginning of the season is, it’s critical to take a look at the state of the league as it rides the highs of success while having fires to put out in the background.
The Open Cup
The US Open Cup and referee strike controversies show an ugly side of MLS’ leadership.
The Open Cup is an incredible competition, and one the Timbers haven’t won in their 49 year history. It’s the closest thing the US has to England’s FA Cup and Spain’s Copa del Rey, competitions where every club in that country’s pyramid can compete and pull an upset à la March Madness. Small clubs have the chance to upset the big ones (personal favorite being Coventry’s win against Tottenham Hotspur in 1987), and big clubs have the chance to play in the local stadiums of smaller clubs, like when massive Manchester United played League Two participant Newport County in a relatively competitive match on Newport’s home turf during this year’s edition of the cup. It’s a way to bring the overarching football community together and provides doses of magic for everyone involved.
The MLS is at a crossroads with their current participation in the nations oldest soccer tournament. Originally it was suggested that the MLS field its MLS Next Pro development squads in place of the regular senior squads, citing schedule congestion and in increase in matches that the senior squad play with the Leagues Cup coming into fruition. The most recent development is showing that while senior teams might participate, it could be as few as eight squads and nothing is final.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber was quoted during the MLS season opener as saying “We will continue to do what we can to support the U.S. Open Cup, but we’re not going to do it in a way where the entire onus on making that tournament work is on Major League Soccer”. He’s also referred to the Open Cup matches as instances where he would not want the MLS product to be shown to large audiences. It’s also been noted that the commercial viability is in question, despite a new broadcast deal that’s being held up by the MLS’s back and forth participation.
Garber is missing the point here. The MLS not fully participating in the Open Cup shows a league not participating in its soccer community. It’s true that most Premier League sides don’t field their full A-team when playing earlier FA Cup rounds, but clubs tend to put more of an emphasis on it as they get deeper into a tournament.
The lack of promotion and relegation in the MLS can lead to an arrogance among the league. Premier League teams that weren’t always top flight know what it’s like to fight in the tournament and prove that they can play with the big guys. Parity among teams in the MLS does have it’s benefits such as not having a big four or five teams that dominate every year, but it can lead to an isolation from the greater US Soccer landscape when US Soccer in all of its growth nationally and internationally needs to work as a unit.
The first question raised from a supporter at the Timbers Fan Fest that took place on Tuesday was about the future of the Open Cup, and showed its importance to the fanbase and how much it would mean to finally win the 100 year old trophy. Everyone wants full MLS participation except the MLS, which shows a disconnect between the league and the supporters that it’s supposed to cater to.
The Referees
That’s not the only disengagement coming from the league, as shown by the broken negotiations between the MLS funded PRO and the referee labor union PRSA.
Last January saw the collective bargaining agreement between PRO and the PRSA expire, leading to what was supposed to be routine contract negotiations. PRO had offered a three to four percent increase in pay for the refs, while PRSA were looking to close in on a wage increase in the ranges of 10-33% for referees, 75-104% raises for assistant referees and 15-100% for video match officials along with increased match fees. PRO had countered with only a small increase of four to five percent, and the stalling of negotiations began there leading to the lockout we’re at presently. Besides a raise in pay, negotiations also called for improved working conditions, particularly on the road. The league has yet to make progress in its talks, but has stated they are “very prepared” to handle the situation.
Replacement referees coming from USL, college, and youth organizations are set to be deployed in the mean time while the bargaining table is still open, as they were during the season opener in Miami. The MLS Players Association (MLSPA) made a statement on the situation, saying “the use of replacement referees will not only negatively impact the quality and results of our matches, it may also jeopardize the health and safety of players”, while also saying it’s a step backward. The Timbers Army also voiced their support in favor of the PRSA.
This statement shows why these officials are important. They have one of the most difficult and important jobs in the sport, and often have the most unappreciated role.
The league has never been as popular or successful as it is right now. It’s brought over Lionel Messi, who’s arrival has made him the most popular athlete in America, and is increasing in relevance within the US sporting scene exponentially. There’s no reason why the referees, who work to make the league competitive, safe, and fair, shouldn’t also reap the spoils of this success. The league must give the refs what they’re deserving and come to a conclusion soon.
“Something to Prove FC”
The Timbers face the Colorado Rapids in their first game of the regular season at home at Providence Park.
Getting a clean slate from the last season, it’s not clear which team could use the refresh more after disappointing 2023 campaigns for both sides.
Last season proved to be rough for Colorado; it began by losing their star midfielder Jack Price minutes into the first match of the season and continued into having their worst season in history finishing last in the Western Conference. Midfielder Max Alves was caught up in a gambling scandal last May and signed to Cuiabá back home in Brazil. The club then fired its head coach in the middle of season and hired former New York Red Bulls head coach and Manchester United assistant Chris Armas as their new manager in November.
During the end of the season last year, Rapids supporters got so fed up they walked out of the stadium during a match which, ironically, the Rapids ended up winning.
The organization has since gone through a drastic rebuild, getting rid of many of the older, established players who won the Western Conference in 2021 in favor of a brand new squad which includes the likes of record signing Djordje Mihailovic on the left wing and former Manchester City and USMNT keeper Zack Steffen.
“Something to Prove FC” is the mantra for this Rapids squad coming into the season, and they’re hungry to regain their place among the Western Conference elite. Rapids blog Burgundy Wave have more information on their squad here.
If there was a match to best showcase our new defensive prowess, this is the one. The Rapids biggest weakness is scoring goals, and their primary striker, the Brazilian 23 year old Rafael Navarro, is unproven in his abilities. Our offense could be challenged by a back half armed with keeper Steffen along with center-back Moïse Bombito who’s primed for a breakout season according to Rapids supporters.
Tactics and Availability
In a match with two big debuts for the squad, supporters will finally see Neville’s Timbers in regular season matches that matter. Felipe Mora will be unavailable for the squad after an injury in the preseason, potentially leaving Dairon Asprilla the center-forward role. After making an impact in preseason, Antony should be a player to watch on the left wing given Phil Neville’s praise as the best player in that three game stretch. Crepeau and Miller make their first appearances in Green and Gold, while Eryk Williamson is slated to make his return to the line up after his year-long injury. Evander is expected to move up in the midfield wearing his new number 10 within the predicted 4-2-3-1 formation.
While the starters look to be in good shape, our depth is slightly lacking. Claudio Bravo is out for 10-12 weeks after a knee surgery and leaves a gap in the left back position, leading to an Eric Miller start and a potential sub in Timbers 2 player Jaden Jones-Riley who had a decent preseason. Cristhian Paredes is a solid alternative to Williamson if needed, while Nathan Fogaca and Tega Ikoba round out the attacking depth.
Conclusion:
This is a new era for the Timbers. Since the announcement of Neville as head coach, fans have been eagerly anticipating the new-look Timbers who’ll look even fresher once the new Designated Player is signed and announced in the coming weeks. It’s exciting to be a Timbers fan, and there’s a lot to be optimistic about.
The league on the other hand is another story. The Open Cup and referee lock out present an organization that needs to listen to its stakeholders rather than its shareholders. It needs to be a neighbor in the US Soccer community rather than a landlord with a monopoly on the sport, and needs to appreciate the people and traditions that make the sport great in the US.
The Timbers start the season at home at Providence Park Saturday, February 24th at 7:30pm. The match will be available to stream on Apple TV+.