Colorado Rapids have the chance to strengthen their position in the Major League Soccer Western Conference playoff spots on Sunday when they face Seattle Sounders.
The visitors do head into the game on a two-match winning streak, and currently sit 11th in the table with games in hand on everybody else.
Match preview
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Colorado Rapids were defeated 2-1 in midweek against Sporting Kansas City despite Lucas Esteves getting himself on the scoresheet, but the game will be remembered for four players being sent off in injury time.
Auston Trusty and Esteves himself were both red-carded in the final minutes of the game as things descended to madness at the finish.
The squad have only been able to win twice in their previous six performances in all competitions, which is why they find themselves in the lower half of the Western Conference right now.
Despite that, they have done an excellent job of making their home ground a fortress in the early moments of the season, as they are currently undefeated at DSG Park.
Colorado have also only conceded a single goal across those six fixtures, which is an impressive record that will have injected plenty of confidence into the squad.
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On the other hand, the visitors have lost half of their games on the road in the league, and it is their away form that is keeping them further down the table right now.
Seattle Sounders have managed to win just twice away, while they have conceded nine times during those fixtures which has made things difficult for them.
Despite that, the Rave Green have been able to win their previous two matches in all competitions starting with knocking out Minnesota United in the U.S. Open Cup.
Following on from that victory, Seattle beat Houston Dynamo in the league, where Raul Ruidiaz broke the deadlock with the only goal of the match.
Considering the fact that they have at least one game in hand on every team in the Western Conference, they have the chance to progress further up the table with some consistent results.
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Team News
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After being sent off in their previous match both Esteves and Trusty will be missing for Colorado Rapids in this one, which will force a reshuffle of the starting lineup here.
Jonathan Lewis and Gyasi Zardes should maintain their positions in the attack, while Diego Rubio is likely to slot in behind them as the creative midfielder.
Seattle Sounders will also be without a player due to suspension after Alex Roldan was sent off during their previous appearance, meaning there will be a change at right-back.
Nouhou Tolo was able to feature in that game despite the fact he had been substituted with an injury before that, but Joao Paulo remains a doubt.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Abubakar, Wilson, Vallecilla; Rosenburry, Price, Acosta, Alves, Rubio; Lewis, Zardes
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Tolo, Arreaga, Gomez, Cissoko; Rowe, Rusnak; Morris, Lodeiro, Roldan; Ruidiaz
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-0 Seattle Sounders
On the road Seattle Sounders have struggled defensively, and that is something that Colorado Rapids will be looking to exploit on Sunday.
The hosts have the chance to progress further up the table, and establish themselves in the playoffs even more, which they are the favourites to do.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
