Columbus Crew will travel over 1000 miles West to DSG Park for their MLS encounter against Colorado Rapids on Sunday.
The Rapids were on the right side of a seven-goal thriller over Minnesota United last time out, while five goals were scored in The Crew's most recent victory against New York City FC.
Match preview
© Reuters
Colorado Rapids followed up their thrilling 5-4 victory away at New York Red Bulls with a 4-3 triumph at home against Minnesota United last weekend.
The Rapids raced into a three-goal lead within the first 15 minutes courtesy of a brace from Gyasi Zardes and a strike from Diego Rubio, before the visitors pulled two goals back before half time.
Zardes then completed his hat-trick midway through the second half, and although Brent Kallman added a third for Minnesota, Colorado held on to claim all three points.
Robin Fraser's men have climbed up to 10th in the Western Conference standings, three points behind the playoff positions with two games in hand on Portland Timbers in seventh place.
Colorado head into Sunday's encounter with an impressive home record against Columbus Crew as they have won seven of their last nine MLS matches against them at DSG Park.
© Reuters
After their nine-game unbeaten league run was brought to an end by Montreal at the beginning of August, Columbus Crew responded with a 3-2 home victory against MLS Cup holders New York City FC.
Lucas Zelarayan (2) and Cucho Hernandez were both on the scoresheet for the hosts, with the former netting the winning goal in the 75th minute.
With all of the top-four teams in the Eastern Conference dropping points last weekend, Caleb Porter's side have gained some ground on their rivals, although they are still nine points behind NYCFC in second and 12 points behind leaders Philadelphia Union.
The Crew are now unbeaten in each of their last five away games and have only ever gone unbeaten in six or more successive MLS matches on the road in a single season once before, when they enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten away streak between July and October 2004.
Success on Sunday could prove challenging, however, as they have won only four of their 24 MLS visits to Colorado.
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- D
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Colorado trio Braian Galvan (knee), Aboubacar Keita (ACL) and Oliver Larraz (leg) are all ruled out with injuries, while Jack Price is doubtful with a minor calf problem.
Fraser is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, with top scorer Diego Rubio – who has 11 strikes to his name so far this term – set to provide support in attack for last weekend's hat-trick hero Zardes.
As for Columbus Crew, Porter currently has no injury concerns, although Josh Williams will be assessed ahead of kickoff after suffering with illness.
A back four of Steven Moreira, Jonathan Mensah, Milos Degenek and Pedro Santos is set to remain intact, protecting goalkeeper Eloy Room between the sticks.
Star playmaker Zelarayan – who has contributed to 13 goals (eight goals and five assists) in 19 MLS games this season – is expected to continue in the number 10 role behind Hernandez.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Vallecilla, Esteves; Acosta; Barrios, Priso-Mbongue, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Mensah, Degenek, Santos; Artur, Nagbe; Diaz, Zelarayan, Etienne; Hernandez
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-2 Columbus Crew
Goals are to be expected in this weekend's clash as both sides have shown their threat in the final third in recent weeks while also looking vulnerable at the back.
Considering that there is little to separate these two teams, an entertaining score draw could be on the cards at DSG Park.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
