Orlando City-Rapids Preview:

The earth-shattering news of Lionel Messi’s imminent move to Inter Miami seemed to almost halt the MLS season for a few days. In what was perhaps the most important week in the league’s history, the faltering Colorado Rapids will head to Florida to take on an Orlando City SC side that is unbeaten in its last five games.

The Rapids have been much better on the road, having picked up 10 points in nine matches compared to the four points in eight matches at home, and Robin Fraser will be praying that his team comes out with the same energy they showed against the Earthquakes. Colorado should have won that match, albeit being down a man for the majority of the second half. 

Veteran defender Steven Beitashour seemed to agree. “Anytime we play on the road, it’s going to be difficult, but if we continue to do some of the trends you saw last week against San Jose, then I think we have a good chance at winning”, he stated following a midweek training session.

Torres is the X-Factor

Fresh off of an impressive 3-0 dismantling of the New York Red Bulls in New York, Orlando will look for the attacking threat of Facundo Torres to exacerbate Colorado’s recent form.

Whether Torres is able to get in behind the Rapids defense with his off ball movement will perhaps be the deciding factor in this match, as on his day, he is widely regarded as one of the premier offensive talents in MLS. The 23-year-old Uruguayan international got back to form last weekend, scoring twice against the Red Bulls, with the first goal coming from the spot and the second off of a sharp counterattack.

Orlando has also been slowed down by their play at Exploria Stadium, as their two home wins are the fewest of any Eastern Conference side. Although they boast the best away record in MLS, their lack of form at home means Orlando City currently sit in eighth position, just four points above 10th placed Montreal and 11th placed New York. A win could see them climb as high as fifth in the East, assuming results go their way. 

Óscar Pareja is always a familiar sight, with his two years spent as head coach in Colorado from 2012 to 2014 before moving on to a four year tenure with Western Conference rival FC Dallas. Pareja has been in charge at Orlando City since 2019, recently winning the 2022 US Open Cup and delivering the club its first ever major trophy. 

Rapids Roster News:

The unfortunate news is that the talented USA U-20 squad is out of the World Cup after some impressive performances, bowing out in the quarterfinals to eventual finalists Uruguay. The good news, however, is that forward Darren Yapi will be back and available for selection for Saturday’s match. With Diego Rubio still not 100% to start or even play, Yapi could be a nice substitute for the incumbent Kévin Cabral. The 18-year-old has yet to score his first goal in MLS, and some fresh legs against a side that has been known to struggle at home could be the answer. 

In addition to Rubio, Braian Galván, Michael Barrios, and Ralph Priso remain listed as questionable on the injury report. 

Orlando Roster News:

For Orlando, only defender Abdi Salim is a certainty to miss the game. Defenders Michael Halliday and Luca Petrasso are probable and are the only others listed on the injury report. 

Only A Win Will Do:

Not many Rapids fans seem to have much faith regarding the rest of the season, and rightfully so, but for the few who do, Saturday night seems like the last chance this team may get to kickstart a turnaround. A draw would do little to keep pace with ninth placed Real Salt Lake, who are six points clear of the Rapids. Any result short of a win coupled with a Los Angeles Galaxy victory would mean the Colorado Rapids would be the sole proprietors of rock bottom in all of MLS. 

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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