Photo by Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

By AARON CRANFORD

In the span of four minutes, Colorado Rapids fans went from jovial bliss to sheer disappointment, all thanks to a 94th-minute game-winner from Portland Timbers defender Jack Jewsbury.

A wild night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park saw Colorado Rapids fans erupt after Sam Cronin volleyed home a 90th-minute equalizer, but it also saw them deflate after a 94th minute goal by the Portland Timbers, which gave the visiting side the 2-1 win.

Maximiliano Urruti was the biggest menace for the Rapids backline on the night, as the Argentine had many solid shots on target and set up many of his teammates with perfectly laid through balls. And it was he who assisted teammate Gaston Fernandez for the Timbers first goal of the night.

Fourteen minutes into the match, Urruti sent a shot toward goal, and a deflection made things interesting, but Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin was there to parry the chance away to his left.

The Rapids’ best first-half chance came from Nick Labrocca, who drove an effort just wide of goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey’s left post in the 32nd minute.

However, the half belonged to Portland, and in the 38th minute, Fernandez calmly slotted his strike past an outstretched Irwin for the 1-0 lead. Urruti gathered a throw-in, dribbled toward the top of the penalty area and calmly played Fernandez through on goal.

As the match wore on, Urruti once again caused problems for the Rapids, putting another good effort on frame, but Irwin quickly dove to is left to parry the chance wide in the 69th minute.

And finally, in the 82nd minute, Urruti dribbled into the heart of the Rapids defense and found Rodney Wallace in space on his left, but Wallace’s effort was deflected up and over the goal.

Meanwhile, the Rapids had very little going their way for most of the match, but with time winding down, Colorado turned the jets on. Pressing for a late equalizer, the Rapids continued to push men forward, which created an end-to-end affair.

Their efforts paid off, as Cronin sent a sumptuous volley past Kwarasey. However, the Rapids got a little too greedy, and while trying to push forward for the winner, they left themselves vulnerable at the back, allowing Jewsbury made them pay just before the final whistle.

Portland have now posted their second win in as many contests, while the Rapids have suffered two defeats in a row.

While Colorado travels to Rio Tinto Stadium to face Real Salt Lake on June 7, the Timbers will head back home to host the New England Revolution on June 6.