Two struggling Western Conference teams will meet on Independence Day when the Portland Timbers visit the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday night in Commerce City, Colo.

The Timbers are just 1-4-4 over their last nine matches, while the Rapids are 0-7-2 over their past nine.

Portland (5-9-7, 22 points) is in 12th place in the West. Its lone win during the nine-game slump was a 1-0 home decision over FC Dallas on June 11.

Last-place Colorado (2-10-8, 14 points) has been blanked in each of its last four matches, going 0-2-2 during the stretch. The Rapids haven’t won since posting a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 6.

Also, Colorado is 0-4-5 at home, while Portland is 1-6-4 on the road.

Colorado was outshot 20-9 and placed just three shots on target during Saturday’s 2-0 road loss to St. Louis City.

“We probably didn’t create enough clear-cut chances, which has been the same problem the last few weeks to be honest,” Rapids forward Sam Nicholson said. “So, need to get back on the training field and right our wrongs.”

Colorado doesn’t have a single player with more than two goals and has an MLS-low 14 as a team. Connor Ronan has been the team’s most productive offensive player with one goal and six assists.

Portland was drubbed 4-1 by host Minnesota United on Saturday. Timbers coach Gio Savarese was disappointed with his team’s effort.

“It was a very frustrating day,” Savarese said. “We wanted to compete and we needed to get three points. … If we don’t have everyone pushing and putting in the effort the same way, it is going to always be difficult.”

Franck Boli scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season for Portland. Evander (five goals) missed the contest due to a one-match suspension for violent conduct during a match against New York City FC on June 24.

The teams split two meetings last season. Portland owns a 12-10-6 series lead.

–Field Level Media