The race for the Western Conference title is heating up, even though the form of the contenders is really rather tepid.

Conceding a stoppage-time equalizer meant last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC was a disappointment to Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni. However, his side are 12-5-12 with 48 points from 29 outings and they would be top of the Supporters' Shield standings if they won their games in hand.

More importantly, they will complete their push for the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs with a point against Portland Timbers this weekend. They can even lose and make it if other results go their way.

The most interesting statistics of last weekend’s draw at Vancouver were the multiples. Shkëlzen Gashi’s double was the first time any Rapids player had scored more than once in a game since Vicente Sanchez at Houston almost exactly a year earlier. Meanwhile, it was only the second time they had conceded more than twice in a game all season.

Erik Hurtado’s late header meant it is now two games since Rapids tasted victory. But the other Conference title contenders - Dallas (three), LA Galaxy (two) and Real Salt Lake (four) - are no better in this area. Mastroeni’s side have suffered a league-low five defeats and, although wins have been scarce in the last few months, they are keeping pace with those around them.

Rapids have five games left and four of those are taken up by home-and-away games against Portland and Houston. The 2015 MLS Cup winners come to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this weekend. After that, Mastroeni’s men will complete their games in hand before their main rivals take to the field again.

That makes this fixture, back at home against a struggling opponent, so interesting. Many of Rapids’ recent games have gone utterly against on-paper predictions - New York (a), Dallas (a), Orlando (h). But then you could argue Mastroeni has been defying the pundits throughout 2016 - and proudly so.

All the Supporters’ Shield aspirants are looking for a flurry of late-season form. Apart from Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls with a stand-out 13, no team in MLS has gone more than three games since a defeat.

Opportunity knocks for Rapids once again this weekend. A straightforward win would be useful, pushing them over the 50-point threshold for the first time since 2013. A springboard win might just bring silverware with it.

OPPONENTS

The reigning champions are struggling to hang on to their crown. Caleb Porter’s side slipped below the red line in the Western Conference with Seattle's win over Chicago in midweek.

The Timbers have lost six of their last 11 MLS matches and they have not registered a league win on the road all season. They are 0-9-6 overall away from home and they have lost their last five.

But, where there is Fanendo Adi and Diego Valeri, there is hope.

The big Nigerian front man has scored 31 since the start of the 2015 season, behind only Sebastian Giovinco, David Villa, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kei Kamara. Meanwhile, Valeri has scored 33 per cent of his total MLS goals, 12 out of 36, since May 1. The pair have a combined 28 to their credit this season, 15 to Adi, 13 to Valeri, out of Portland’s total of 46. In fact no-one else has scored for Portland since August 28.

Overall, Porter’s side has converted 53 per cent of their big chances, the fourth best in MLS. This could be key against a Rapids side who, despite last week’s 3-3 draw at Vancouver, still possess the meanest defense in the league.

In contrast the Portland backline has struggled. They have conceded 48 goals and, with 456, only two MLS teams have allowed more shots on their goal. On paper, the recent addition of former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has done little to alter that. Portland have not kept a clean-sheet in their last seven games.

Like Rapids, Portland are a better team on their own ground. Their wretched away form is in contrast to a home record of 11-3-2, including wins in each of their last four games.

Rapids’ job is to take advantage of their weak spot.

INFO

Referee: Allen Chapman

Team news (out unless stated)

Rapids: Azira (suspended), Burling (questionable - toe), Doyle (questionable - ankle), Jones (questionable - knee), Serna (knee)

Timbers: Borchers (Achilles), Melano (questionable - groin), Vytas (questionable -rib), Mattocks (questionable - hamstring)

Broadcast

TV: Altitude

Radio: Altitude950 and La Invasora