Fresh off the back of a thrilling 5-4 victory over New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids play host to Minnesota United at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Adrian Heath's men head into the weekend on a run of three consecutive victories away from home and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
© Reuters
Colorado Rapids picked up their first win away from home in the MLS on Wednesday when they came from two goals down to claim a hard-fought 5-4 victory against New York Red Bulls.
Diego Rubio turned in a performance of the highest quality at the Red Bull Arena, where he scored one and set up two goals as Keegan Rosenberry, Collen Warner, Michael Barrios and Dantouma Toure all found the target to see off the hosts.
Prior to that, Robin Fraser's men were on a run of seven defeats and three draws from their 10 away games, with their last road win coming when they saw off Houston Dynamo 1-0 in October 2021.
With 27 points from 22 games, Colorado Rapids are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings, level on points with 11th-placed Vancouver Whitecaps and five off Seattle Sounders in the final playoff spot.
© Reuters
On the other hand, Minnesota United bottled a two-goal first-half last Saturday as they played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Portland Timbers when the sides met at the Allianz Field.
Prior to that, Heath's side were on a three-game winning run across all competitions, including an emphatic 4-0 victory over Premier League side Everton in a friendly on July 21.
The Loons head into the weekend on an impressive eight-game unbeaten run since June's 2-1 loss against Inter Miami, claiming two draws and six wins, including three on the road in the MLS.
Minnesota United have picked up 10 wins, five draws and lost eight of their 23 games to collect 35 points and sit third in the Western Conference table, level on points with FC Dallas.
While this weekend's visitors will look to maintain their fine run of results, they visit the Dick's Sporting Goods Park, where they have failed to win any of their last six visits since 2017, managing two wins and four draws in that time.
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- D
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Colorado Rapids will take to the pitch without the services of Aboubacar Keita and Argentine forward Braian Galvan, who are both recuperating from ACL injuries.
Fraser will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Jack Price and Oliver Larraz, who have been sidelined through calf and leg injuries respectively.
Rubio put on a clinic against New York Red Bulls last time out and the 29-year-old forward, who has 15 goal involvements this season, should spearhead the Rapids' attack once again.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United will have to make do without several key players down the spine of the team as defender Romain Metanire (thigh), midfielder Tani Oluwaseyi (thigh) and forward Wil Trapp (thigh) are all recuperating from injuries.
The duo of Jacori Hayes and Hassani Dotson add to the Loon's midfield crisis as they are currently recuperating from leg and ACL injuries respectively, while Patrick Weah (ACL) has been sidelined since last October.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Vallecilla, Esteves; Acosta; Barrios, Priso-Mbongue, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Arriaga, Lod; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Fragapane; Amarilla
We say: Colorado Rapids 1-2 Minnesota United
Minnesota United head into the weekend as one of the most in-form sides in the Western Conference, claiming six wins and two draws from their last eight games. The Loons have enjoyed the better of this fixture and we are backing them to extend their dominance over the Rapids.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
