Game Preview & Starting XI: LAFC vs. Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids opted to stay in LA after taking on the Galaxy last week as they prepare to face LAFC tonight. A smart move by the coaching staff and club, but it does make for predicting a lineup a bit more difficult. By staying on the West Coast, the team can continue to bond while on the road; but more importantly, they don’t lose any days due to travel.

LAFC are in third place in the Western Conference with 39 points, while the Rapids sit in 11^th with 24 points. A win today could see the Rapids move into a tie with Houston for tenth yet remain ten points behind the last playoff spot. While both teams may be at different spots in the standings, they both had a 12-point July which was the most among Western Conference teams.

LAFC is 6-1-5 at home while the Rapids are 1-7-3 on the road. It’s scary enough as a Rapids fan to acknowledge that the Rapids typically do not do well in California, now there is a third team they must play against. As far as stats go everything starts new as of today, except for LAFC coach Bob Bradley who is 13-9-5 against Colorado all-time.

The Rapids are riding a 3-game unbeaten streak—which includes California teams San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles Galaxy— and the best-case scenario would be to steal three points from a team who has only lost once at home and take a 4-game unbeaten streak back to DSGP to face RSL.

The Rapids have shown tenacity and grit lately, while being organized and composed—something they have not had prior to this unbeaten streak. While there may have not been wins each time, the ability to come back from one or two goals down (multiple times in a row) says a lot about how far this team has come.

Starting XI:

*Note: Hairston and Martinez went home earlier this week since Hudson wasn’t planning to play them.

Colorado

OUT: D - Axel Sjoberg (knee injury)

QUESTIONABLE: F - Giles Barnes (ankle injury)

PROBABLE: M - Kellyn Acosta (ankle injury), F - Shkelzen Gashi (Achilles injury), D - Edgar Castillo (hamstring injury), F - Jack McBean (hamstring injury), D - Danny Wilson (illness), M - Jack Price (groin injury), F - Yannick Boli (illness)

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: F - Jack McBean, D - Danny Wilson, D - Kortne Ford

Los Angeles

OUT: GK - Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), M - Mark-Anthony Kaye (fractured ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: F - Adama Diomande (left hamstring irritation)Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: M - Eduard Atuesta, D - Walker Zimmerman

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Sunday Aug 19th, 8 PM MT

Venue: Banc of California Stadium — Los Angeles, CA

TV Information: AltitudeTV

Radio: Altitude950

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

C38 Watch Parties: Celtic on Market; Blue Spruce Brewing, Mudrocks Tap & Tavern