Colorado Rapids have been formidable at home this season, winning six of nine and conceding just once per match on average, but the absence of starting goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Josh Atencio could unsettle their defensive stability. LAFC arrive with a mixed away…
Sign in for full analysis →Sign in to view how our call changed
Sign inColorado Rapids welcome Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer’s regular season on Wednesday evening, with both sides aiming to improve their footing in the Western Conference. LAFC arrive off a frustrating 1-0 home loss to San Diego FC, while the Rapids are looking to build consistency after alternating wins and defeats in recent weeks.
Colorado remain without goalkeeper Zack Steffen (shoulder) and several other squad options: Billo Diop (knee), Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), Kimani (lower leg), and Jackson Travis (ankle) are all ruled out. The departure of centre-back Lucas Herrington to Hull City could force a reshuffle at the back, with Loic Williams and a partner tasked with containing LAFC’s dynamic front line.
For the visitors, four players are sidelined — Thomas Hasal (arm), Igor Jesus (leg), David Martínez (leg), and Sergi Palencia (leg) — while defender Aaron Long is questionable with a leg issue. Despite those absences, manager Steve Cherundolo can still field a potent attack led by Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, who had scored in four straight matches before last week’s blank.
LAFC entered last weekend riding a four-match winning streak in which they poured in 11 goals, only to be stung by an 88th-minute penalty from Anders Dreyer in a 1-0 defeat to San Diego. That loss dropped them to 10 wins, 6 draws, and 4 defeats, leaving them second in the West on 34 points — level with Vancouver but having played two more games. The shutout was uncharacteristic; LAFC had previously scored at least twice in each of those four victories and remain the conference’s most feared counter-attacking side.
Bouanga’s 10 goals and 31 chances created make him the league’s most relentless final-third force. He will test a Rapids defence that has conceded just 0.67 goals per match over their last six outings, a stingy record that will be challenged by the movement of Son Heung-min (33 chances created) and the overlapping runs of right-back Ryan Hollingshead. Colorado’s hopes of containing LAFC’s transitions may hinge on the screening work of holding midfielder Hamidou Ojediran.
At the other end, Rafael Navarro carries the Rapids’ scoring burden with nine goals from 53 shots. The Brazilian striker thrives on service from Paxten Aaronson, who has created 29 chances in 1,439 minutes, and wide players Georges Minoungou and Dante Sealy. LAFC’s defensive unit, likely featuring Ryan Porteous — whose late handball cost them against San Diego — cannot afford to switch off against Colorado’s direct approach.
With the regular season entering its final phase, LAFC want to keep the pressure on Western Conference leaders Vancouver, while Colorado are scrapping to climb into the playoff picture. A Rapids victory would narrow the gap to the top seven, whereas an LAFC win would restore their road form and underline their credentials as genuine MLS Cup contenders.
Sign in to view match stats
Sign inSign in to view player ratings
Sign inSign in to view lineups
Sign inSign in to view head to head
Sign inSign in to view squad availability
Sign inSign in to view group standings
Sign in
