Preview: Colorado Rapids vs LAFC
In tonight’s Western Conference clash, your Colorado Rapids take on the 2022 MLS Cup Champions Los Angeles FC.
Colorado have had a really poor start to the season. With just two goals and two points in five games, the Burgundy Boys are showing signs of a team as desolate as the 2019 squad who went 12 games before earning their first three points. With Jack Price suffering a season ending injury last week and with multiple players still finding themselves on the injury report, the alarm is being sounded by many. While the season’s wheels continue to spin out of control, LAFC are on the pounce. They’ll be keen on taking advantage of the slow start from the Rapids and will look for an “easy” three points before their first-leg match in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Players to Watch
Colorado Rapids: Diego Rubio
Diego Rubio had his first minutes of 2023 in the 2-1 loss against Minnesota United just last Saturday. Rubio was subbed on in the 70th minute and subsequently started for his national team and was substituted after the first half. If the Chilean can start for La Roja, the general consensus is he should start in the fixture against LA. Robin Fraser may have other plans as he has not had a back to back starting XI so far this year (When was the last time that happened anyways?). The Rapids who have been massively underperforming their xGoals tally this year will need a finisher like Rubio to get them back on track and keep the wheels from completely falling off this season.
LAFC: Denis Bouanga
The Gabon international has been a treat for LAFC. Bouanga, a skilled and lethal left winger, has a nose for goal and has combined really well with the LAFC frontline whether it be Kwadkwo Opoku, “Charlie Candle” Carlos Vela, or Croatian wonderkid Stipe Biuk. Bouanga has scored 3 goals in 4 games and even notched a hattrick in CCL play making his goal total for the month of march an exceptional 7 goals. Bouanga will be a problem for Colorado right back Keegan Rosenberry and that matchup will be key in tonight’s game
Optimist
Though the game looks dire, there are some reasons to be optimistic about this one. For one, the Rapids looked really well in their 1-1 draw against Austin FC. If the Rapids keep that same attacking intensity and fervor, with Diego Rubio leading the line, the chances will have, at the very least, an end goal. If the game plan is “get the ball to Rubio” and just letting him cook, the team can easily find some momentum. LAFC will also have CCL on Tuesday as they travel to face the Whitecaps in the first leg of the Quarter Finals. One could suspect that LAFC rotate their lineup and look ahead to the next game. This very well could be their trap game.
Pessimist
The Rapids won’t win this because of LAFC’s sheer dominance in the midfield. The Black and Gold have some sheer workhorses in the midfield that on paper beat out any option the Rapids have. Kellyn Acosta (who Rapids fans are very familiar with), Ilie Sanchez, Jose Cifuentes, and Timothy Tillman are all great players in the league and for LA. I have a hard time believing a Colorado midfield without Jack Price could stop the trio. And for as much as Rubio helps with top end talent, the surrounding pieces are still just too flat and one-dimensional.
Predictions
I personally think we may be in for a trap game. I can easily see this being the game where the “dam breaks” and Colorado have a rampant uptick in production. In a league as crazy and unpredictable as MLS, this could be the silver lining that pushes the team forward into a run of form. It will be difficult, but come the 65th minute and later, if the game is still tied and the Rapids aren’t taking it to LAFC at home then there is definitely problems regarding the mentality of this team. A slow start and LAFC can easily catch Colorado off guard. The Burgundy Boys must have a strong and unrelenting start to beat the defending MLS and Supporters Shield Champions.
Projected Starting XI
Colorado Rapids: Yarbrough, Rosenberry, Abubakar, Maxso, Markanich, Acosta, Max, Ronan, Barrios, Rubio, Cabral
LAFC: McCarthy, Palencia, Murillo, Long, Palacios, Ilie, Acosta, Tillman, Vela, Opoku, Bouanga
