Rapids Union Preview: Will Colorado Win Their First Home Game of 2023?

The Colorado Rapids will face a stern test at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park when they take on a struggling, yet always dangerous Philadelphia Union side on Saturday night. The match will be available on Apple TV+ and will kick off at 7:30 pm MDT.

Philadelphia in Trouble?

The 2022 MLS Cup finalists currently sit 7th in the Eastern Conference. This will be Philadelphia’s fourth game in eleven days, and dare we say, it might be a good time for Colorado to face such a talented squad.

Philadelphia’s backline has been leaky as of late, having conceded 13 goals in their last seven matches. Although their attack has been decent (15 goals in MLS), ball retention has been a cause for concern as their 74% pass accuracy is the third worst in MLS this season. 

Results have been hard to come by for the Union in recent weeks, whether that be in MLS, U.S. Open Cup, or the CONCACAF Champions League. Revenge for Philadelphia was not on the cards against LAFC in the CCL, as they were beaten 4-1 on aggregate, including a dreadful 3-0 second leg defeat.

They were then able to bounce back against the New York Red Bulls with a narrow 1-0 victory last weekend, thanks to a Dàniel Gazdag penalty. Despite the victory, it was far from convincing as the Red Bulls(who are currently last in the East) out possessed and outshot Philadelphia.

Head coach Jim Curtin appeared relieved to have gotten the three points, but wary of his team’s performance. “Was it a perfect game? No. Did we play good attacking soccer? No. But again, three points goes a long way for the group right now, and hopefully it instills some confidence.”

A thrilling 3-3 comeback in the midweek Open Cup fixture against Minnesota United saw the match go to penalties. A missed penalty from Kai Wagner was unable to keep the Union alive for a third time (having scored twice in the 94th and 120th minute) and they succumbed to Minnesota 7-6 on penalties.

Momentum Is Key for the Rapids:

Colorado, meanwhile, appears to be in great shape heading into Saturday’s showdown. The Rapids have won three of their last four matches and haven’t lost since a 2-1 home defeat to Minnesota, two months ago! Currently 10th in the West and level on points with the two teams above them (Portland and Minnesota), the Rapids will have a chance to move up into a playoff seeding position with a win.

Despite all this, they have yet to secure three points at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in 2023. A chance to heap even more misery on a reeling contender is all that Robin Fraser and his squad could ask for, and it promises to be an intense affair on Saturday night.

Union Roster News:

Curtin may have to do without one of his key starters in Mikael Uhre, as the Danish midfielder is dealing with a knee issue and was downgraded to questionable on the injury report on Thursday.

With the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup kicking off on the 20th, Philadelphia will be without USA U-20 internationals Quinn Sullivan and Brendan Craig. Jack McGlynn is also part of the squad heading to Argentina, but will join up following Saturday’s match.

Rapids Roster News:

Colorado will be without Max for the foreseeable future do to a gambling scandal in Brazil that has him on paid administrative leave.

Darren Yapi was also called up to the USA U-20 squad for the World Cup, and will not be available.

Diego Rubio is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury, but there is some positive news for Fraser as Cole Bassett, Bryan Acosta, and Steven Beitashour are all in contention to return against Philadelphia. With Max out of the picture, Bassett will be key in driving the Rapids midfield forward as we enter a key stretch of the regular season.  

Photo Credit: John Babiak. 

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