Commerce City, CO– The Colorado Rapids (4-1-6, 9th West) plays host to near-bottom of the West St. Louis City (1-3-6, 14th West). Sporting KC is off to a well-known disaster start to the season, and St. Louis has only one more point than their I-70 rivals. This is a must-win for the Rapids to get back on track after a tough last four matches in MLS. Colorado got their first week-long break after a long stretch of two games a week. Can the Rapids turn their recent form around against a flailing St. Louis City side? Let’s take a look at the matchup.
When: Saturday, May 9th @ 7:30 p.m. MST
Where: DICK’s Sporting Goods Park
TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Lackluster Offense in Disappointing Defeat to Houston
It took a spectacular effort from Lawrence Ennali to separate the two lackluster offenses when Colorado took the trip to Houston. In the same matchup where Colorado scored six just about a month ago, the Rapids mustered only two shots on goal while holding over 60% of possession. The team finished with just 0.44 expected goals according to Fotmob. Houston only managed 0.50 xG, so it was an equally frustrating day for either offense.
It’s another game of possession over purpose for this Rapids side. It happened against LAFC, and now it’s happened again against Houston. It was a little better against LAFC, as the Rapids were able to leave with a point in a stadium that they have never been able to with that possession, but they left with nothing against Houston. While Colorado went to LAFC as underdogs, Houston should have been a different story. It wasn’t.
It is now five straight games without a win for the Rapids, if you include the US Open Cup “tie” against the Switchbacks. This felt less worrisome when it was against Miami, LAFC, and Vancouver, but now it’s the Switchbacks and Houston. The once high-flying Rapids attack has scored just once in the last three MLS matches. The Rapids don’t have much time before the World Cup break to turn things around. It’s going to have to start soon.
Lineup Prediction:
Steffen (c) / Cannon, Holding, Herrington, M. Navarro / Ojedrian, Aaronson, A. Harris / Sealy, R. Navarro, Yapi
The Colorado Rapids have a problem in the midfield. Josh Atencio is out with a concussion, and Wayne Frederick is still out with his leg injury. Connor Ronan is not on the injury report, but it would be a shock to see him start. Most likely, Matt Wells will play with one holding midfielder, Hamzat Ojediran, at least to start. If Ronan is able to go for any amount of minutes, expect him to get those minutes on Saturday.
Ted Ku-DiPietro is still out with his shoulder injury, and Jackson Travis is questionable with his leg injury. He played on it in Houston, expect him to see minutes if needed.
Matt Wells has yet to set a starting three up top for Colorado. Rotation up top is good, but in a team that has been struggling to create and score goals as of late, some consistency might be just what the Rapids need down this stretch. It’s a tough call on who to start. Darren Yapi just got the contract extension. Dante Sealy and Georgi Minoungou are the heavy investments. Yapi is really the only winger to be productive in the attack. The other side is up for grabs.
Senior Slump in St. Louis
After a very good expansion season for St. Louis, it has been a sophomore, junior, and now senior slump for the Missouri side. The headlines are all on Sporting KC and how badly their season has gone. St. Louis is not in a much better spot. They have one more point than their close rivals, with just one win in their first ten games. Despite this, they are also among the final eight in the US Open Cup.
There was a good amount of roster turnover from last year to this year for St. Louis. Much of it was unremarkable, but one big transfer out should catch the eye. Joao Klauss made an exit to Western Conference rivals LA Galaxy this winter, and the goals have dried up since. Only nine goals in ten matches is not great. St. Louis has also lost the last three MLS matches and has gone five games without a win in the league.
Other than Joao Klauss, St. Louis still has much of their core from last season. Roman Burki is still between the sticks. Eduard Löwen and Marcel Hartel are still the headliners for the Missouri side. Rafa Santos is a familiar name, and one that will most likely see substantial minutes for St. Louis after he wasn’t extended by the Rapids this past offseason. Colorado will have to survive another return of their former player when St. Louis makes the trip to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park.
Prediction: The Rapids get back on track with an impressive display and all three points. Colorado wins it 2-0.
Lastly, the club and Centennial 38 will be doing a number of things to honor Ryan Sabin, who died during the recent Open Cup match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Rest in peace, Ryan. May your memory be a blessing.
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Eamon Shaw 