Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard gestures to fans a he leaves the pitch after facing the Portland Timbers in the second half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. The teams played to a 0-0 tie. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (AP) - Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard made some key saves in his return to Major League Soccer to preserve a scoreless draw for the Rapids against Portland on Monday.
The failure to win at home saw the Rapids drop out of the lead in the Western Conference, falling behind Dallas, which won 4-0 against Orlando City.
Howard returned to MLS after 13 years in England with Manchester United initially and then Everton.
He dived to his right to stop Darren Mattocks' shot in the 54th minute and used his feet to block a shot by Lucas Melano in the 63rd.
Dallas' Walker Zimmerman, Michael Barrios, Matt Hedges and Fabian Castillo all scored in the victory over Orlando City.
Zimmerman opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a volley to finish Mauro Diaz's corner.
Maximiliano Urruti crossed it in as Barrios sped past a defender and chipped it over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 in the 21st.
Hedges headed home Diaz's free kick in the 61st minute and Castillo's goal in the 92nd capped the scoring
It was the first time this season that Orlando did not score.
Los Angeles' Steven Gerrard set up both goals as the Galaxy beat Vancouver 2-0, with Robbie Keane and Jeff Larentowicz scoring.
Colorado Rapids midfielder Jermaine Jones, left, battles for control of the ball with Portland Timbers midfielder Ben Zemanski in the second half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. The teams played to a 0-0 tie. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, front, clears the ball as Portland Timbers forward Darren Mattocks defends in the first half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi, front, hooks a shot past Colorado Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg in the first half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell, left, fights for control of the ball with Colorado Rapids midfielder Shkelzen Gashi in the second half of a Major League Soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. The teams played to a 0-0 tie. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell, right, drives with the ball past Colorado Rapids defender Mekeil Williams in the first half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids midfielder Jared Watts, right, kicks the ball past Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi in the first half of an MLS soccer match Monday, July 4, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press