Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Major League Soccer clash between Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fresh off a thrilling 5-4 win over the New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids play host Minnesota United at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Adrian HeideThe s men go into the weekend on a streak of three straight wins away from home and will be looking to keep the juggernaut going.
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game preview
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The Colorado Rapids clinched their first away win in MLS on Wednesday when they clinched a hard-fought 5-4 win over the New York Red Bulls from two goals down.
Diego Rubio showed a top-level performance at the Red Bull Arena, where he scored one goal and two assists Keegan Roseberry, Cole Warner, Michael Barrios and Dantouma Toure all found the goal of seeing the hosts.
Before, Robin FraserThe Madrid side had gone on a streak of seven defeats and three draws in their 10 away games, with their last away win coming in October 2021 when they beat Houston Dynamo 1-0.
With 27 points from 22 games, the Colorado Rapids currently sit 10th in the Western Conference standings, level on points with the 11th-ranked Vancouver Whitecaps and five ahead of the Seattle Sounders in last playoff spot.
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On the other hand, Minnesota United scored twice in the first half last Saturday as they held a thrilling 4-4 draw against Portland Timbers as the teams met at Allianz Field.
Previously, Heath’s side had won three games in all competitions, including an emphatic 4-0 win over Premier League side Everton in a friendly on 21 July.
The Loons go into the weekend on an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak since losing 2-1 to Inter Miami in June, recording two draws and six wins, including three away games in MLS.
Minnesota United has won 10, drawn five and lost eight of their 23 games to accumulate 35 points and finish third in the Western Conference standings, level on points with FC Dallas.
While this weekend’s visitors will be looking to maintain their good results, they head to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where they haven’t won in their last six visits since 2017, recording two wins and four draws in that span.
Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer Form:
Form of Minnesota United Major League Soccer:
Form of Minnesota United (all competitions):
Team News
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The Colorado Rapids will take to the field without the services of Aboubacar Keita and Argentinian forward Brian Galvanboth of whom are recovering from ACL injuries.
Fraser will not be able to call the midfield duo jack price and Oliver Larrazwho had to pause due to calf or leg injuries.
Rubio held a test last time out against the New York Red Bulls and the 29-year-old forward, who has scored 15 goals this season, should once again lead the Rapids’ attack.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United is without several key players in the team’s backbone as defenders Romain Metanire (thigh), midfielder Tani Oluwaseyi (thigh) and forward Will Trapp (hamstrings) are all recovering from injuries.
The duo of Jacori Hayes and Hassani Dotson are contributing to the Loon’s midfield crisis as they are currently recovering from leg and cruciate ligament injuries respectively while Patrick Weah (ACL) has been sidelined since last October.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Roseberry, Abubakar, Vallecilla, Esteves; acosta; Barrios, Priso-Mbongue, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Clear; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Arriaga, Lod; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Fragapane; amarilla
We say: Colorado Rapids – Minnesota United 1:2
Minnesota United heads into the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference, with six wins and two draws in their last eight games. The Loons enjoyed this game better and we support them as they extend their dominance over the Rapids.
For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.
top tip
Our expert Tipster partners at Sporita.com predict over 2.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their football best tips.Above 2.5: Data