PREVIEW – Leagues Cup is upon us. The heavily anticipated and publicized competition that will see all 18 Liga MX clubs compete with all 29 MLS clubs kicks off on Friday. The Colorado Rapids, however, will have to wait until the second match day to face Mexican opposition, as they have been drawn to face Nashville SC in the opener.
The month-long Leagues Cup break can be viewed as an opportunity for struggling teams to hit the reset button, and although Colorado and Nashville find themselves in entirely different situations, they will both be seeking a sense of renewal from the Leagues Cup.
Trouble in Nashville?
Nashville sit fourth in the East with the fifth best record in MLS, yet have lost five of their last seven games. Saturday’s loss to Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati marked the first time that Nashville has ever lost three league matches in a row.
Nashville’s head coach Gary Smith is a familiar face in Colorado, having delivered the only MLS Cup in club history back in 2010. The 54-year-old Englishman spent four seasons with the Rapids from 2008 to 2011, compiling a record of 39 wins, 35 draws, and 31 losses.
Disciplinary issues have plagued Smith and his side during this skid, as four red cards in four games is too gargantuan of an obstacle for any team to overcome.
Smith blasted his team after the full time whistle against Cincinnati, imploring them to improve upon their self-sabotaging ways. “The guys need to take a look inside in this break and really ask some questions…discipline, whether that’s officiating or our own self-discipline, it has to be looked at”.
Mukhtar Needs Help
Nashville’s star man Hany Mukhtar has shown that he has no desire to relinquish his MVP crown, topping the MLS scoring charts with 13 goals (not to mention his eight assists). He is considered to be the lead candidate for the 2023 MLS MVP as well.
The German DP has been a one man show in attack, accounting for roughly 31% percent of all of Nashville’s shooting attempts this season. His 21 goals and assists have been crucial to Nashville’s playoff contention. Midfielder Fafà Picault’s five goal contributions for Nashville are the second most behind Mukhtar, paling in comparison.
Navarro Time?
The Leagues Cup roster was released on Wednesday, and with it came the news that Rafael Navarro will don the number 9. The last player to wear that number for Colorado was former University of Denver standout and fellow Brazilian Andre Shinyashiki.
It remains to be seen whether Navarro will be available against Nashville, as ongoing visa issues could see him make his debut against Toluca next weekend instead.
Goalkeeper Marko Ilic was signed to a permanent deal last week, and this tournament could prove to be a massive opportunity for the Serbian as he looks to displace William Yarbrough.
Could Leagues Cup Help Colorado in MLS?
Saturday night will be the only meeting scheduled between the two sides this season, with Nashville comfortably winning 4-1 and 3-1 in both matchups last season. Gary Smith’s men have been stellar at home in 2023, with a record of 8-2-2 in MLS. Colorado has been shaky on the road, with a record of 2-3-6, but have shown that they are capable of springing the upset.
The Leagues Cup offers a lifeline to a Rapids team that has massively underperformed, and the chance to spark some life into what has been a dreadful season. A good showing in the tournament could perhaps carry into the resumption of league play, and show that the Rapids have what it takes to challenge for a wild card spot in the West.
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.
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Matt Pollard 
[…] entered Sunday night with hopes of turning around their season with a good showing in the Leagues Cup. A 2-1 loss […]