Diego Valeri kick-started the Desert Friendlies in Tucson on Tuesday in style, notching his first goal in a Portland Timbers jersey off a free kick in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.
Valeri scored in the 28th minute off an attempt from the left side of the penalty box to open the scoring for the Timbers, who added two more before the Rapids could get on the board.
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Midfielder Kalif Alhassan staked the Timbers to a 2-0 lead in the 63rd minute off an assist from forward Jose Valencia, and Valencia got in on the action with a goal of his own in the 79th minute.
The Rapids got a goal from SuperDraft first-round pick Deshorn Brown, who scored off an assist from fellow draft pick and defender Kory Kindle.
The Timbers return to action on Friday against Sporting Kansas City, while the Rapids take on San Jose on Saturday.
