LOS ANGELES – Inter Miami and Lionel Messi prevailed in a penalty shootout to win the 2023 Leagues Cup in a breathtaking final against Nashville SC. MLS is now back and with that brings a trip for the Colorado Rapids to the home of the defending champions, LAFC. In what seems like the umpteenth summer postponement due to weather for Colorado, the game (originally set to be played on Sunday night) had to be rescheduled for Wednesday due to the threat of Hurricane Hilary.
BREAKING: Colorado Rapids game at LAFC has been rescheduled to Wednesday August 23 at 8:30 PM MT due to Hurricane Hilary.
Colorado’s much maligned position at the bottom of the West will likely remain intact, even with a win on Sunday. Now 10 points behind the final wild card spot, three points are a must to keep the pressure on, but the fanbase has rightfully resigned themselves to a second successive year of missing the postseason.
When: Wednesday, August 23 @8:30 pm MDT
Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Colorado Rapids vs LAFC H2H
Somewhat surprisingly, the Rapids have an ok record against LAFC since the Californians joined MLS in 2018, given the powerhouse the defending champs have been. Across seven games, the Rapids have won three, tied one, and lost five. However, four of those five losses have been on the road. The Rapids have never picked up a point on the road against this team.
The most recent meeting between the two ended in a 0-0 draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in April, a game where Colorado was the more dangerous side.
Goals Are Key for LAFC
Although not nearly as dominant as they were in 2022, LAFC’s ability to blow a game wide open is more than enough to strike fear into the Rapids defense. Their 34 goals this season sees them rank 9th across all MLS clubs. Steve Cherundolo’s team has scored three or more goals in six matches, but has also failed to find the back of the net four times, showcasing a lack of consistency. In 2022, LAFC fired blanks in only two games.Â
Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela are undoubtedly the danger men, contributing to 29 of LAFC’s 34 MLS goals in 2023. Bouanga, the 28-year-old Gabon international, has 12 goals on the year, placing him 3rd among all MLS players. Carlos Vela, the aging Mexican superstar, is proving he’s not done yet, as the former MVP has tallied eight goals and six assists in 2023. However, if Robin Fraser’s men are able to shut that pair down, they could get a result, as the only other player on LA’s roster with more than 2 goals this season is 20 year old Croatian forward Stipe Biuk.
Recent Form
LAFC sits second in the West, only four points behind St. Louis City. St. Louis’ red hot form early on in the year has cooled off, and LAFC will be looking to reclaim their throne in the West. In the final game before Leagues Cup began, LAFC brushed off their poor run of form by dusting St. Louis City 3-0. They built upon that result with two dominant displays in the group stages of Leagues Cup, with dominant 7-1 and 4-0 victories over Juarez and Real Salt Lake, respectively. They looked to be a serious contender for the trophy after being up 2-0 in their round of 32 matchup against Monterrey, but a second half collapse from LAFC saw the Mexican side come back to win the game 3-2.
The Rapids’ last win on the road coincidentally came in LA, against the Galaxy on May 7th. Colorado’s debut showing in the Leagues Cup was over as soon as it started, crashing out in the group stages after losing both games against Nashville and Toluca.
Roster News
Colorado Rapids player availability for Wednesday's rescheduled match @ LAFC:
Lewis, Edwards, and Gersbach have been limited in training, so those were expected. Bassett questionable and William Yarbrough OUT are new. Expect Marko Ilić to get his first MLS start since 6/10. pic.twitter.com/uLQWfym9oy
Both Rafael Navarro and Sidnei Tavares are available to make their debuts on Wednesday. We have since learned that William Yarbrough has had knee surgery and could very well have played his last game of the season.
A Look Ahead
Playoff aspirations have long ceased to exist for the Burgundy Boys, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to get excited for. The additions of Navarro and Tavares have dominated the positive headlines surrounding the club since their arrival, and it’s finally time to see what the pair can inject into Colorado’s attack. A loss is likely incoming, but perhaps a glimpse into the future will bring back some hope for a desolate fanbase.
Photo Credit: Antonia Geiger, emdashphoto.com.
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One thought on “LAFC Rapids Preview: Visiting the Champs”
[…] the fifth time ever, the Colorado Rapids headed to Southern California to play LAFC in MLS play. Like the other four times, it was exciting. And […]
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Matt Pollard 
[…] the fifth time ever, the Colorado Rapids headed to Southern California to play LAFC in MLS play. Like the other four times, it was exciting. And […]