Spotlight on Portland coach John Spencer: The former Chelsea and Everton player finished his soccer career with the Rapids — and was a huge hit on and off the field. The Scotland native scored 37 goals in 88 appearances during a three-year run in Colorado, most notably being named to the MLS Best XI squad in 2001 after scoring 14 goals and contributing seven assists in 22 games.
NOTEBOOK
• Rapids: Veteran forward Omar Cummings could get his first start since returning from an ankle injury 10 days ago. He has played in only one game — 23 minutes as a substitute — since his return. If not, Cummings will be used as a reserve. … The Rapids are 5-2-0 this season when they score the first goal. They are 1-6-1 when they allow the first goal.
• Timbers: Portland comes into Saturday night’s match in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Timbers have 16 points in 14 games. Portland never has defeated Colorado (only two meetings all time) since becoming an MLS franchise. The Timbers have scored only one goal against the Rapids in those matches.
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
