Two sides who will be looking to find their feet square off in MLS as Colorado Rapids play host to Austin FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
Having failed to win the last three meetings between the two teams, the Verde and Black will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and snap their run of back-to-back defeats.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids were left empty handed yet again as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Vancouver Whitecaps when the two sides squared off at BC Place a fortnight ago.
Following a relatively uneventful first half, Sebastian Berhalter broke the deadlock one minute after the restart, and after Dorde Mihailovic pulled one back for the visitors, Damir Kreilach grabbed a 91st-minute winner to hand the Whitecaps all three points.
Colorado Rapids have now lost three games on the bounce and have failed to win any of their last four outings, losing three and picking up one draw since scraping a 1-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps at DSG Park on May 16.
This poor run of results has been owing to their defensive vulnerability as Chris Armas's men have shipped 13 goals in their last four outings and have conceded the fifth-highest number of goals in the league.
After two games on the road, Colorado Rapids will be looking to find their feet on home turf, where they are unbeaten in four of their last five matches — claiming three wins and one draw — with a 3-2 loss to San Jose Earthquakes on May 12 being the exception.
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Austin, on the other hand, were condemned to consecutive defeats for the first time since August as they were thrashed 5-1 by Real Salt Lake at America First Field time out.
Cristian Arango netted a hat-trick while strike partner Anderson Julio scored twice as the hosts stormed to a five-goal lead before Alexander Ring grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute.
Prior to that, the Verde and Black saw their three-match unbeaten run come to an end on May 30 when they fell to a 2-0 home loss against Portland Timbers courtesy of goals from Evander and Jonathan Rodriguez.
Josh Wolff's side have now lost six of their 17 MLS matches so far while claiming six wins and five draws to collect 23 points and sit sixth in the Western Conference table, one point and two places above Saturday's hosts.
While Austin will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend, they have struggled for results in their travels, where they are on a run of one win in eight matches this season while losing four and picking up three draws so far.
Team News
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Moise Bombito and Miguel Navarro are currently on duty at the Copa America with Canada and Venezuela respectively and will play no part in Saturday's game.
On the injury front, Colorado Rapids will take to the pitch without 20-year-old forward Wayne Frederick, who is currently recuperating from a hip problem.
Daniel Chacon continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines since suffering a severe knee injury last year and the 23-year-old defender remains out of contention for the hosts.
Austin will also have to cope without the duo of Julio Cascante and 23-year-old Dani Pereira, who are currently away with Costa Rica and Venezuela in the Copa America.
Wolff will also be unable to call upon the services of Ethan Finlay, who has been ruled out through a hamstring injury, while Argentine forward Sebastian Driussi is a major doubt, having missed the game against Real Salt Lake with a groin problem.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Maxso, Travis; Ronan, Fernandez; Cabral, Mihailovic, Yapi; Bassett
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Cascante, Vaisanen, Biro; Valencia, Ring; Obrian, Rubio, Kolmanic; Zardes
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Austin FC
Colorado Rapids and Austin have struggled to get going in recent weeks and will head into Saturday's clash in search of a pick-me-up. The Rapids have lost just one of their last six games against Austin, and given their solid home form, we see them coming away with a narrow win this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
