The new-look Portland Timbers, under new coach Caleb Porter, opened their 2013 preseason on Tuesday showing alot of attacking prowess, and some new faces combined with familiar faces for a solid 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in Tucscon, Arizona.
New signees Ryan Miller, Michael Harringon, Diego Valeri, Will Johnson, and Ryan Johnson started the first half, with Valeri showing Beckham-like free kick ability with a curling shot that slipped inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.
Milos Kocic debuted in goal in the second half, with trialists Mikael Silvestre and Michael Nanchoff also seeing action. Kalif Alhassan was in his typical pre-season form with a tight angled shot giving the Timbers a 2-0 lead, and Jose Valencia showed the form Timbers fans had been waiting to see when he dribbled around the Rapids defense and placed a low shot inside the post for a 3-0 lead. A late Rapids goal on a headed corner ruined the shutout, but the Timbers remain undefeated in their MLS history in preseason play with a 3-1 win.
