Greg Vanney will hope for a repeat of LA Galaxy's five-star victory in game one that represented “one of their best" performances to wrap up his MLS playoff clash with Colorado Rapids in two games.

Vanney’s tactical masterplan saw Galaxy triumph 5-0 at home as they restricted Colorado to just one shot and an expected goals (xG) total of 0.03 while accumulating 2.46 xG themselves.

The LA Galaxy boss made his name at Toronto FC, where he won the MLS Cup as well as three Eastern Conference playoff titles. When he resigned in 2020, it was Colorado’s Chris Armas who took up the mantle but did not fare as well.

Early indications of their meeting in the playoffs suggest Vanney is proving his knack for success remains and is winning the battle of the ex-Toronto bosses.

“I thought it was a very clean performance, and probably one of the best. I can't remember all 34 at this point, 35 now, but it was definitely one of the best ones, I think, and at a good time,” Vanney reflected on the performance post-match.

LA Galaxy had emerged victorious in both prior meetings this season, but neither time had they managed to keep a clean sheet. Yet in game one, Armas’ side struggled to even penetrate their box with just 10 touches inside it all game.

“[Vanney] has been great, and he has a lot of experience. This week was everything. In the playoffs, we need to set the tone and set the intensity. He did that right from, not just this week, but of course [because of] playoffs, training was intense,” said goalscorer John Nelson.

“Defensively, we needed to do that, and that's what he talked about the whole week. Like you saw tonight, we were relentless. We were fouling. We weren't giving them anything.

“So the whole week’s focus was to counter-press defensively, and we know we're going to score goals. We showed that tonight.”

Armas will need to find a way to beat his Toronto predecessor in a must-win game for his side at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, owing to the best-of-three playoff format.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

If the Rapids are to take the match back to LA Galaxy for a decider, they will need goals and Mihailovic will be crucial. He boasts the second-most goals scored for Colorado (11) in the MLS, only four behind top scorer Rafael Navarro.

He is also their top assister (10), meaning he has the most goal contributions on the squad (21). Distribution is clearly a strong point as he has more than double the number of key passes (87) than any other Rapids player – Cole Bassett comes closest on 35.

LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic

Galaxy's top scorer, Joveljic, has 17 goals in the MLS so far this season and has also delivered the lowest minutes per goal (118.6). He will surely hope to add to the tally when he travels to Colorado.

He was on target in game one as he and Riqui Puig each scored twice in Galaxy’s win over Colorado.

It makes them the third pair of Galaxy teammates to each score twice in a playoff game, along with Cobi Jones and Carlos Ruiz in 2002 and Carlos Hermosillo and Danny Pena in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN

Galaxy have won each of their three meetings with Colorado this season, including the 5-0 win in Game One on Saturday.

Prior to that, Galaxy had won only one of their 11 matches against the Rapids between 2018 and 2023 (D3 L7).

That 5-0 win was only the seventh win by a margin of at least five goals in MLS Cup playoff history. It was the third of those by Galaxy, who also beat Dallas, 6-1, in 1998 and defeated Real Salt Lake, 5-0, in 2014.

Colorado were held to just one shot in their 5-0 loss to Galaxy. It was the first time this century that the Rapids had only one shot in an MLS match, regular season or playoffs.

The hosts are a team out of form and have lost five straight matches dating back to the regular season, with two of those defeats coming against Galaxy.

Prior to this drought, however, the Rapids had lost just three of their previous 13 regular-season matches dating back to the middle of June (W9 D1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 32.5%

Draw – 25.5%

LA Galaxy – 42.0%

Chris Armas wants Colorado Rapids to use their trip to Austin FC as preparation for the start of the playoffs when they meet in the final game of the MLS regular season.

Colorado secured their playoff place last month but are not yet sure where in the Western Conference they will finish.

Other results could see them move up or down the table, and after losing their last three matches, Armas is keen to finish the regular season on a high.

"You can tell something different is in the air," he said. "The playoffs are here.

"The energy in the team is really good, and we're looking forward to the weekend and the big test in Austin.

"We want to use it the right way, to finish the season in the right way and get into the right mindset for the first playoff game."

Meanwhile, Austin sacked head coach Josh Wolff after a 2-1 defeat to LA Galaxy last time out ensured they would not make the playoffs.

Davy Arnaud will take interim charge for their final game of the season, and his sole focus is on getting three points on Saturday.

"You saw guys [in the last two games] who are still giving everything they have," Arnaud said, as quoted in the Verde All Day substack.

"For me, there would be no reason that it wouldn't be a very similar feel inside the stadium on Saturday, and I think they'll see a group that I'm hoping that they're proud of, that still represents this club in a really good way, despite the fact that we won't be in the playoffs.

"I've loved my time here in Austin, but I think it's too early to really fully talk about those things right now because we have a focus on Saturday."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi

Each of Austin's last 15 goals have been scored from open play dating back to mid-June, with their most recent being scored by Sebastian Driussi last time out against LA Galaxy.

Austin have not scored from a set piece since a penalty goal on June 1 and have not scored a non-penalty goal from a set piece since late May.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Djordje Mihailovic (11 goals, 12 assists) is the first player in Rapids history to record 10 goals and 10 assists in a single regular season.

He enters the final day of the season tied with Diego Rubio (2022) for the most goal contributions in a single season in Rapids history.

MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WIN

Austin are winless in five straight regular-season home matches (D2 L3) for the first time in club history. They have managed just one win in their last eight matches at Q2 Stadium dating back to late May (D3 L4), but they will be keen to sign off for the season with a victory.

Colorado have never lost away against Austin FC (W1 D2), with the last two meetings between the sides at Q2 Stadium ending in draws. The Rapids are one of two teams (Seattle Sounders – four) to play three or more regular-season away matches at Austin without a loss.

Colorado have collected 50 points this season after totalling just 27 in the 2023 campaign. The 23-point improvement is the largest year-over-year improvement by the Rapids in the club's MLS history (excluding the shortened 2020 season), surpassing a 21-point bounce from 2015 to 2016.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 40.7%

Draw – 26.7%

Colorado Rapids – 32.7%

Lionel Messi is one of 23 players to be nominated for the 2024 MLS MVP award, being joined on the shortlist by Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez.

Messi is considered the leading candidate to win the league's top individual prize after scoring 17 goals and contributing 10 assists in just 18 regular-season matches this year.

The Argentina legend has missed large chunks of the campaign through injury, recently sitting out two months with an ankle problem he sustained while representing his country in the Copa America final.

Yet only four players – D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23), Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga, the Columbus Crew's Cucho Hernandez (both 19) and Suarez (18) – have outscored him this term, and he also sits joint-eighth in the assist charts.

Suarez is the other Miami player to be nominated for the prize, having put himself in Golden Boot contention in his first season in the United States.

The Uruguayan's 18 league goals have come from chances with a total expected goals (xG) value of 12.04, giving him an overperformance of 5.96.

Only New York City's Alonso Martinez (6.13, 16 goals from 9.87 xG) and Messi (6.08, 17 from 10.92 xG) have overperformed their underlying figures by a greater margin.

Suarez is also up for the league's Newcomer of the Year award, alongside players including Hugo Lloris of LAFC and the Galaxy's leading scorer Gabriel Pec.

Last season's MVP, FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta, is in the running for the top prize once more after providing more direct goal involvements (30, 14 goals, 16 assists) than any other player in the league.

With Miami winning the Supporters' Shield and remaining on course to break the league's single-season points record (73 by the 2021 New England Revolution), head coach Gerardo Martino has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.

The Colorado Rapids' Chris Armas, Greg Vanney of the LA Galaxy and the Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy are considered among the other leading contenders.

Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas is adamant his team will bounce back from defeat when they face LA Galaxy in MLS on Wednesday.

The Rapids suffered a 3-0 defeat to Minnesota United on Saturday, only managing one shot on target in an underwhelming performance.

They have already clinched a playoff spot, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, but have now lost two of their last three outings (winning the other one).

And Armas is confident his team will once again bounce back from defeat, based on their mentality throughout the season.

"I can tell you that our group responds, they respond when we have losses," Armas said. "We've done it all year in a big way.

"So, we'll look to do that again. We around here at the Rapids this year, from the very first game, we've not gotten too low, we've not gotten too high – this is another case of that.

"We rebound, take a hard look, we recover, and we get things ready for Wednesday."

Meanwhile, LA Galaxy bounced back from a 4-2 defeat to Portland Timbers with a 4-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.

They may have a six-point lead in the table, but head coach Greg Vanney is still looking to make improvements so they can finish the season strong.

"We have two on the road and one at home, and we'll take any advantage we can get to finish on top," Vanney said.

"Sometimes our unselfishness is that we're trying to make a more perfect moment to finish, but you want to try and just keep it as smooth as possible down the stretch."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Colorado's 3-0 loss at Minnesota United on Saturday was just the third time the club was shut out this season with only Inter Miami (twice) failing to score less often.

They were kept quiet in front of goal in that defeat, with only Djordje Mihailovic registering more than one shot (two), and he was the only one to hit the target.

LA Galaxy – Joseph Paintsil

Joseph Paintsil's goal against Vancouver Whitecaps on September 21 was his 10th of the regular season, joining teammates Dejan Joveljic (14), Gabriel Pec (13) and Riqui Puig (11) in double figures.

The Galaxy are the first team in MLS history with four double-digit goalscorers in a single season.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

The Rapids are unbeaten in five straight home matches against the Galaxy (W3 D2). This is Colorado's longest home unbeaten run against LA in all competitions since a seven-match run (W6 D1) in 2006-09.

Indeed, Colorado are unbeaten in 10 straight regular-season home matches (W8 D2), including winning the last three in a row. The Rapids have had only three longer home unbeaten runs in a single season in club history, most recently a 16-match run in 2021.

The Galaxy have totaled 58 points this season, already their most in a single season since 2014 (61). The Galaxy are two points away from becoming the first team in MLS history to record four seasons with at least 60 points (1998, 2011, 2014).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 42.1%

Draw – 26.7%

LA Galaxy – 31.2%

With only two home games left of the regular season, Eric Ramsay urged Minnesota United to come away with maximum points, starting against Colorado Rapids.

The Loons currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, but due to the tight nature of the table, they could spring up it with a win.

They have won their last three road games on the bounce, but have won just one of their last seven on home soil.

Following their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City, Ramsay challenged his team to bring their away form to Allianz Field.

"We've got to win at home between now and the end of the year," he said. "That's the difference maker.

"We've done our bit against teams below us in the table away from home. We just need to do the easier bit, which is put in a performance at home and win a game there.

"If we can do that in the remaining two, we'll be in a really good position."

Meanwhile, Colorado sealed their playoff place with a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC last weekend.

They are third in the table having lost just one of their last five MLS matches, and head coach Chris Armas says spirits are high ahead of their latest road game.

"We're excited for a lot of reasons right now," Armas said. "We've clinched a playoff spot; we've got another game coming up against a good team on the road.

"It's an opportunity to show that we can have a disciplined performance with a lot to play for. The energy in the team is very good, and confidence is high.

"We have our sights set on getting our position up in the playoffs to get that home game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah

Kelvin Yeboah has scored in three straight regular-season matches, the sixth different Minnesota United player to record at least one three-game goalscoring streak.

No player in the team's history has scored in four straight league matches.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Djordje Mihailovic scored his 11th goal of the season on Saturday to go along with his 11 assists in 2024.

The only Rapids player to record more than 22 goal contributions in a single regular season was Diego Rubio (23) in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

Minnesota have won seven of nine all-time home matches against Colorado in all competitions, including the last three in a row. The Loons have outscored the Rapids 8-2 over the current three-match run.

Minnesota have now won four of their last six regular-season matches (lost two) after a nine-game winless run from early June to mid-July (drawn two, lost seven).

The Loons, who beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 last Saturday, have not kept consecutive regular season clean sheets since May 2023.

However, the Rapids have won nine of their last 13 regular season matches (drawn one, lost three), including four of the last five. Only LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew (10 each) have recorded more wins than the Rapids since that run began in mid-June.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 42.1%

Draw – 26.7%

Colorado Rapids – 31.2%

Chris Armas has hailed the Colorado Rapids' professionalism as they close in on a playoff spot, ahead of Wednesday's trip to Sporting Kansas City.

The Rapids sit third in the Western Conference amid a fine first campaign under Armas, and they boast an impressive seven-point cushion to those outside the automatic playoff places.

Goals from Jonathan Lewis and Rafael Navarro handed them a 2-1 win over the in-form Portland Timbers last time out, but Armas says there is no chance of his men losing focus after that result.

"It was a big step for our team," Armas said. "The mood in the locker room is one where it's like, 'it's just another day in the office'.

"There's no big celebration but they understand that was a big step for us, to get three points in a decisive game, to put some separation there.

"We have our eye on the prize, which is the playoffs. The mood is good, we've learned, we've grown and when the whistle blows, it's just three points closer." 

Kansas City, meanwhile, look destined to miss out on the playoffs, sitting 12th and needing to make up an 11-point gap to the wild-card spots in just five games.

They were beaten 2-0 by the Seattle Sounders last time out, leading coach Peter Vermes to express frustration with their response to conceding first.

"I actually think we started the game really well, we were keeping them in their end, and we really didn't give them anything in our end," Vermes said. 

"They got their goal off us being in a position to play forward but we played backwards. We were for sure the better team at the time, but when they scored, it put us back on our heels."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi 

Salloi has scored five goals in nine career matches against the Rapids. The only opponent he has scored more goals against is FC Dallas, netting eight against them.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

Mihailovic assisted both Rapids goals in their win over Portland last Saturday. 

He has 65 goal contributions since the start of the 2020 season (25 goals, 40 assists), and the only American international with more in that time is Jesus Ferreira (69).

MATCH PREDICTION – SPORTING KANSAS CITY WIN

The Rapids have won their last two matches against Kansas City, including a 2-1 home success on July 4. Colorado had won just two of the previous 13 matches between the sides (six draws, five losses) dating back to the start of the 2018 season.

Colorado's 3-2 victory at Dallas on their last road trip, on August 31, meanwhile, was their fifth away win this season. Only in 2021 (eight) and 2011 (six) have they won more on their travels in the post-shootout era.

However, this is a tough test for Armas' men, with Sporting winning six of their last eight home games across all competitions (one draw, one loss), their only defeat in that span coming against Toluca in the Leagues Cup.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sporting Kansas City – 41.3%

Colorado Rapids – 32%

Draw – 26.7%

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen has called on his team-mates to make good on the side's excellent 2024 to date and finish the season strongly, starting with Saturday's trip to FC Dallas.

Colorado sit fourth in the Western Conference standings as they resume MLS action after finishing third in the Leagues Cup, beating the Philadelphia Union in the bronze-medal match.

Chris Armas has the Rapids eyeing home advantage in the playoffs in his first year at the helm, and Steffen says it is all about mental strength as they enter the run-in.

"It's been a long month with a lot of games and travel and everything. It's been good to come home and have a full week to look ahead to Dallas," Steffen said.

"It's back to MLS for us now, so we're fully focused on Dallas and making sure we pick up three points on Saturday. 

"We're getting better every day, it's been fun. We have a great group of guys who are hungry to compete and to grow. It's been a great start but now it's about finishing strong."

Dallas, meanwhile, are down in 10th, albeit just one point of Austin FC, who occupy the final play-in spot in the West.

Interim coach Peter Luccin oversaw a thrilling 4-3 victory at D.C. United last time out – Dallas' third win in four regular-season games, and he thinks it could be a major turning point.

"For us to win on the road, it wasn't easy," said Luccin. "We knew that they were going to fight until the end, they fought hard. 

"We need to stay focused. We need to have the same energy. We need to keep playing the football that we have been playing."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Sebastian Lletget 

Lletget had a goal and two assists in FC Dallas' win at D.C. United last Saturday, his second career match with three goal contributions in MLS, having also achieved the feat in September 2019 versus Sporting Kansas City.

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro 

Navarro (11) and Djordje Mihailovic (10) are the second pair of Rapids team-mates to each score 10 goals in a single regular season since 2010, after Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio in 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW 

Colorado have won five of their seven meetings with Dallas since the start of 2021 (one draw, one defeat), including a 2-1 home win when the sides last faced off on April 20. 

The Rapids had won just five of their previous 24 meetings with Dallas from July 2012 through 2020 (eight draws, 11 defeats).

It appears difficult to split the teams for this one, with Dallas winning three of their last four regular-season matches (one draw), but not inspiring much hope in defence, conceding five times in their last three matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 39.1%

Colorado Rapids – 34.3%

Draw – 26.6%

Colorado Rapids boss Chris Armas hopes recovering players and resetting the team's focus will help them come through Saturday's Rocky Mountain Cup clash with Real Salt Lake.

Colorado saw their three-game unbeaten run halted as they lost 3-2 to the LA Galaxy in midweek, just falling short of a comeback after going 2-0 and 3-1 down.

The Rapids sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, two places and six points adrift of Real Salt Lake, albeit having played one additional game, ahead of Saturday's matchup. 

With Omir Fernandez and Calvin Harris missing due to knocks, Colorado were depleted last time out, but Armas is hoping for a clean bill of health this weekend.

"I don't harp on too much about what we don't have, but we'll get back and we'll recover, reload and then throw everything at Salt Lake on the weekend," Armas said. 

"We'll have some guys getting healthy, Omir [Fernandez] is back, so we'll be ready to go. It's good to see Johnny [Lewis] have a strong performance. 

"We'll have enough to cause Salt Lake some problems."

"Every player knows this is going to be a big game for us, for the club and for the fans," forward Cole Bassett added. 

"I don't think this is one you have to motivate us for. We know the importance."

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, stayed within two points of Western leaders Los Angeles FC as the teams played out a 1-1 draw in midweek, Brayan Vera equalising after Pablo Mastroeni's team fell behind early on.

"We knew if we could have taken all three points it would have been a dream performance, but that result and a fantastic performance is in line with the team we are and the mindset we must have," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.

"It's not going to be an easy game", he added of this weekend's derby. "I just want to see this type of resilient, committed performance. 

"Every team in this league is a super difficult opponent. There's just no easy game".

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett

Bassett scored his eighth goal of the season on Wednesday, extending his career-high tally in 2024. 

He also has a career-best 12 goal contributions this season as his four assists are tied for the second-most in a single year in his career (five in 2020).

Real Salt Lake – Brayan Vera

Vera scored the fourth goal of his MLS career in Real Salt Lake's draw with LAFC, all of which have been from outside the box. 

Since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, Vera and David Beckham (11) are the only players with at least four goals with 100% of them coming from outside the box.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Real Salt Lake beat Colorado 5-3 in the last Rocky Mountain Cup matchup on May 18, recording their 20th regular-season win over the Rapids since the start of 2014, three more than any other team has managed against a single opponent in that span.

Colorado are, however, unbeaten in seven regular-season home games (five wins, two draws), earning six points more at Dicks Sporting Goods Park this year (23) than they did throughout the entire 2023 season (17).

Real Salt Lake have only lost one of their last 12 MLS road games, though seven of those have finished level, making the draw a real likelihood here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Colorado Rapids – 35.4%

Real Salt Lake – 38.5%

Draw – 26%

Chris Armas has full faith in the depth of his Colorado Rapids squad as he ponders potential changes ahead of Saturday's clash with CF Montreal in MLS.

The Rapids are enjoying an impressive campaign and currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, nine points adrift of leaders Real Salt Lake.

They thrashed St. Louis City 3-0 on the road on Wednesday after overcoming Austin FC last weekend, and at the end of a busy week, Armas will likely make some changes.

"We'll take a hard look and think about fresh legs and then tactically what makes the most sense, but I have a lot of confidence in our roster," Armas said.

"I have a lot of confidence in the depth, confidence in players' abilities to suffer and increase the comfort zones to suffer and to endure a little bit more physically. 

"It's a difficult part of any coach's job. Only 11 guys can start and you only use a finite amount to divvy out. We'll take a close look, but again, I have a lot of confidence. 

"We have really strong internal competition that's driving the team forward and then I can take the tough decisions, but that's my job."

Montreal, meanwhile, sit 12th in the Eastern Conference after being pegged back in a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls last time out.

Midfielder Bryce Duke believes adjusting to the altitude in Denver will be a major test for them next time out, saying: "Getting here two days before the game helps us with our preparation. 

"It gives us an extra day of practice in these conditions. Our staff is working on a gameplan to help us acclimate to the altitude."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

Mihailovic secured the first hat-trick of his career against St. Louis City on Wednesday, becoming the third Rapids player with a treble in a road game in any MLS competition and the first to do so since 2009, joining Conor Casey (twice) and Jeff Cunningham.

CF Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim 

Ibrahim scored the opening goal in Montreal's draw against the Red Bulls on Wednesday, his 12th goal in MLS play, all before turning 22 years old. 

That is double the number of regular-season goals scored by any other player before turning 22 in Montreal's MLS history (six by Orji Okwonkwo).

MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

This will be the first meeting between the Rapids and Montreal since a 6-3 home win for Colorado in August 2019. Those six goals are the most Colorado have ever scored in a match.

While it may not be as convincing as that win, Colorado are fancied for another victory here.

They have won each of their last two games to nil. The last time the Rapids had consecutive shutout victories was in March 2022, and the last time they won three straight with shutouts was in August 2007.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 45.3%

CF Montreal – 27.8%

Draw – 26.9%

St. Louis City will be desperate to snap a record six-game winless run in MLS when they host Colorado Rapids at CityPark Stadium on Thursday.

The Missouri-based side have just three wins from their 17 league matches this term, falling down to 11th in the Western Conference standings.

Bradley Carnell's men have not triumphed in MLS action since a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire in the middle of May, and were defeated 2-0 by FC Dallas last time out.

St. Louis coach Carnell referenced injury struggles, however, as his side continue to battle through a troubling period.

"Obviously, it doesn’t take a genius to look at the roster and see where we are. We're not the first team to struggle with this.

"Now we get challenged and now get to prove what we are as a group, team, organisation and unit – sticking together.

"We have a plethora of young players who are performing [for our academy] and we will keep some of those guys with us through the week."

The Rapids have enjoyed a better season, sitting sixth in the West table after returning to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Austin FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

That ended a four-game winless streak for Colorado, who secured a much-needed victory after a rocketed finish from Cole Bassett before Rafael Navarro netted his 10th goal of the season.

The next challenge for the Rapids is to secure back-to-back victories for the first time since April, though they have lost three straight on the road.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Jared Stroud

Jared Stroud was involved in a goal in both matches (one goal, one assist) against the Rapids last season.

The St. Louis man has eight assists to his name in MLS this season, too, and will hope to deliver once more when Colorado come to town.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Djordje Mihailovic has scored in each of the Rapids' last three away matches.

He is the first Rapids player to score in three straight away from home in a single regular season since Shkelzen Gashi scored in five straight on the road from June-October 2016.

MATCH PREDICTION – ST. LOUIS CITY WIN

St. Louis are the heavy favourites for victory in this encounter, considering their record against the Rapids.

Carnell's side collected four points from their two matches against Colorado last season, including a 2-0 win at home last July.

Colorado have lost their last three road matches, conceding 10 goals in those games, and that run of form comes as no surprise.

Indeed, the Rapids have lost 15 of their last 21 away from home in all competitions (W3 D3), dating back to last May.

Yet a home win is by no means a foregone conclusion.

St. Louis are winless in six straight matches (D2 L4) for the first time in club history. They have just three wins so far, tied for the fewest in MLS this season, though all three have come at home.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City win – 48.8%

Colorado Rapids win – 25.5%

Draw – 25.7%

Josh Wolff is hoping Austin FC can regain some urgency after their mid-season break, starting with their trip to Colorado Rapids.

Austin are on a three-game winless streak, losing their last two outings, leaving them sixth in the Western Conference.

With teams below them catching up to their 23-point tally, Wolff admitted there is still room for improvement, but remained upbeat about his team’s progress this season.

"We're pleased with where we're at. There's still a long way to go, there's a lot to improve on," Wolff said.

"The second half of the season will be challenging. You've got to quickly generate urgency to get back on the field and perform. Colorado is the most important game - because it's the next one.

"I want to create urgency and focus on the things we need to keep improving on while keeping our guys healthy. We are going to put everything we can into this game."

Colorado are one of the teams closing in on Austin, sitting just one point and two places below them in the table.

The Rapids have won just one of their last five matches in the MLS, but head coach Chris Armas is confident his side can turn good performances into results.

Armas said, "We really want to get these performances to turn into points. We think we're doing alright, but we know there's room to improve so that's where all of our energy went over the break.

"We're going to get there. We've got a good group, they're hungry and they come to learn. They're giving everything. We're still a work in progress, but I still believe in this."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

After failing to contribute to a goal in his first five Rapids appearances, Mihailovic has 10 goal contributions in his last 11 matches (five goals, five assists) including recording one in three straight games.

Austin FC – Alexander Ring

Austin attempted just eight shots in their defeat to Real Salt Lake on June 1 – it was the league-high 10th time Austin have attempted fewer than 10 shots in a match this season.

All those efforts came in the second half, with Ring scoring a consolation goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

The Rapids hold the slight edge in the head-to-head between the teams, winning three times to Austin’s two wins (D2). Colorado have scored in all seven meetings between the sides.

However, the Rapids have lost back-to-back matches for the first time this season following defeats at Houston Dynamo and Vancouver Whitecaps. Colorado have lost three of their last four matches (D1) after dropping only three of their previous 12 in league play dating back to the start of March (W6 D3).

Austin have lost consecutive matches for the first time since last August with defeats to Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake. Austin had lost only three of their previous 14 matches (W6 D5) dating back to the beginning of March.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 47.8%

Draw – 26%

Austin FC – 26.2%

Vanni Sartini enjoys being able to take a different approach to their match against Colorado Rapids, as he does so following a win.

The Whitecaps snapped a six-match winless run in MLS last time out, seeing out a 2-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City in midweek.

It moves them up to sixth in the Western Conference, where they will have the chance to keep their name in the mix at the top with another win.

Sartini was upbeat following their victory, but was quick to point out they would not be thinking about that result for too long.

"The good vibes [after the win] ended on Friday morning. Then we start thinking about Colorado, but we think about it in a completely different way after a win," Sartini said.

"If we beat them, we get away from them [in the table] and it would put us in a good position going into the [international] break. It's a completely different feeling, but we're very happy to approach the game in this way."

Colorado are also on 26 points, only behind Vancouver due to their inferior goal difference.

The Rapids have won only one of their last five outings, and head coach Chris Armas admits there is still work to be done if they want to get back to winning ways.

"We're a work in progress," he said. "We're going to make mistakes, we have a fairly young squad, so we will make mistakes, and we need to work on that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld scored his fourth regular-season brace in Vancouver's win at Kansas City on Wednesday.

That saw him equal Eric Hassli, Fredy Montero, and Pedro Morales for the second-most multi-goal games for the Whitecaps, behind only Camilo Sanvezzo (eight).

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic has been involved in a goal in five of his last six MLS appearances (two goals, three assists), including the last three in a row.

The American has recorded a goal contribution in four straight appearances once before in his MLS career, doing so with CF Montreal between September and October 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their last nine matches against the Rapids in Vancouver (won four, drawn four) dating back to October 2014, including going unbeaten in the last three at BC Place (won one, drawn two).

However, Vancouver have lost two of their last three home matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami on Saturday.

The Whitecaps have suffered back-to-back home defeats in MLS only once since returning to BC Place in 2021, doing so in July 2022 against Minnesota United and Chicago Fire.

Colorado have lost their last two away matches, conceding eight goals along the way. The Rapids had lost only one of their previous six on the road (won three, drawn two), allowing a total of six goals in those games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.3%

Draw – 25.1%

Colorado Rapids – 24.5%

Chris Armas believes the Colorado Rapids are already developing a winning mentality, as they bid to continue their strong start to the campaign against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Colorado sit fifth in the Western Conference standings with 18 points from 11 games after beating New York City FC 2-1 on their travels last week, their fifth win of the campaign.

That is as many victories as they managed throughout the entirety of last season, and another win on Saturday would take them past the 20-point mark, which they required 27 matches to surpass in 2023.

"Often I'm just watching and learning from the best teams and coaches, that could be in our league, it could be around the world, but when the whistle blows we know how to ramp it up," Armas said this week.

"If you have this ability to ramp it up on game day, then that becomes the norm. You can be light-hearted, you can enjoy training, but when the whistle blows out there it is game on.

"You can see that's becoming who we are, that we know our roles and the players are clear on what they do. We hold them to it and they're now starting to hold each other more accountable."

The 'Quakes are bottom of the West with seven points, though they recorded just their second win of the season against Los Angeles FC last week.

Amahl Pellegrino scored in that 3-1 derby win, and he hopes it can be a turning point for the team, saying: "Football is an easy thing when you have confidence. 

"To get a huge win with a good performance makes things easier because you start to believe in what you're doing in training. We just have to continue."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Cole Bassett 

Bassett recorded a goal and an assist in last week's win over NYCFC, his fifth regular-season match with at least one goal and one assist for the Rapids. 

Only three players have ever enjoyed more such games for Colorado in their MLS history.

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza 

Espinoza assisted two of San Jose's three goals against LAFC last time out, his eighth multi-assist match in MLS, tied for the most of any player since he joined the league in 2019 (with Carles Gil and Mauricio Pereyra).

MATCH PREDICTION – COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

Colorado are unbeaten in 12 straight regular-season home matches against San Jose (six wins, six draws) with the Earthquakes' last win in Commerce City coming in 2013. 

This equals the Rapids' longest regular-season home unbeaten run against any opponent, having also gone 12 without defeat versus the LA Galaxy between 2003 and 2009.

With San Jose only recording two wins so far this campaign, the Rapids will be confident of maintaining that impressive record.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Colorado Rapids – 48.2%

San Jose Earthquakes – 24.6%

Draw – 27.2%

Chris Armas says his Colorado Rapids players deserve to enjoy their meteoric rise up the MLS standings, and he is confident they will not get carried away ahead of their trip to FC Cincinnati.

Colorado sit fourth in the Western Conference with 15 points from nine games, winning three of their last four after an inconsistent start to the year.

They benefitted from two own goals as they beat FC Dallas 2-1 last time out, and Armas has no issue with his players enjoying their place in the standings, particularly given they finished rock bottom of the West in 2023.

"I see the boys looking at the TV where we have the standings posted, and they see that we're climbing, so it's all good stuff," Armas said.

"From day one the message that I preached is that everything we do will be based on hard work and that we will never get too low on ourselves.

"We don't get too high, the boys are realistic. That part's not that hard and our group is hungry and looking to improve every day."

Supporters' Shield holders Cincinnati have had an up-and-down start, going unbeaten through their first five games of the year before suffering back-to-back defeats against the New York Red Bulls and CF Montreal (both 1-2).

However, Pat Noonan's men bounced back with a statement 2-1 victory over Atlanta United last week, and defender Matt Miazga hopes that result will be a turning point.

"I look at everybody and I'm like, 'Alright, I see in his face, I see in his face. We want it,'" Miazga said. 

"We all realised we are a top team, with big personalities, big characters, and it's time to show up in big moments."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta assisted Cincinnati's equaliser against Atlanta last Saturday before scoring the winner two minutes later. 

That was Acosta's 13th regular-season match with a goal and an assist since the start of the 2022 season, three more than any other player in MLS has managed during that time.

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic has created at least twice as many chances as any other Colorado player in MLS this term (16), with Keegan Rosenberry and Sam Vines creating eight apiece.

He also has two goals and one assist to his name, while only Rafael Navarro (16) has bettered his 10 successful dribbles among his team-mates.

MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN

Cincinnati earned their first win over the Rapids last May, triumphing 1-0 on the road. The Rapids had won the first two meetings between the sides, including a 2-0 victory on their only previous trip to Cincinnati.

The Rapids also enter Saturday's game having won successive regular-season matches for the first time since September 2022, eyeing their first three-game winning streak since August 2021.

However, Cincinnati ended their poor run by beating Atlanta last time out and have, despite some underwhelming performances, only lost two of their nine league games this term (four wins, three draws). On home soil, the Supporters' Shield holders are favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 49.3%

Colorado Rapids – 23.3%

Draw – 27.4%