Portland, OR – The Portland Timbers extended their unbeaten run in MLS play to 15 games with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Jeld-Wen Field on Sunday.
Rodney Wallace played a starring role in the win by providing an assist on all three of Portland's goals, setting up Frederic Piquionne and Will Johnson in the 12th and 45th minutes, respectively, before linking up with Ryan Johnson for the dagger six minutes from time.
Portland (7-1-9) has not lost in league play since March 9 and improves to 30 points on the season to move into a tie with Real Salt Lake for first place in the race for the MLS Supporters' Shield.
Colorado (5-7-5) has lost three matches in a row to remain on 20 points.
The home side took the lead from a quick restart in the 12th minute. Will Johnson released Wallace on the left flank and the Costa Rica international crossed the ball for Piquionne to record his first MLS goal with a powerful header from close range.
Johnson turned from provider to scorer just before halftime when he took a pass from Wallace at the top of the box, chipped it up to himself and fired a half-volley past Clint Irwin.
The Timbers wrapped up the affair late on when Wallace and Ben Zemanski combined to find Ryan Johnson, who got on the end of a square pass to sweep home his fifth goal of the campaign.
Portland staved off some late pressure to preserve a second consecutive clean sheet and extend its shutout streak on home soil to 570 minutes.
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