POSTPONED Game Preview & How to Watch: Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas

Tonight’s MLS games (except Orlando City SC vs. Nashville SC) have been postponed in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, Jacob Blake, and the recent protests. Read more here.

A quick turnaround is in store for the Colorado Rapids as they travel to Texas to take on FC Dallas. With the 4-1 loss to Real Salt Lake just four days ago, one can hope that the coaching staff—which has gotten smaller since assistant coach Darren Bazeley left the club in June—has had some time to work with the team collectively or individually about the ball watching that has hindered the results lately. On all four of the RSL goals, Colorado had at least a two-man advantage in or around the box, yet no pressure was applied.

If I am writing about it, chances are good that the opposing teams will also know that they can just come right at the Rapids and get shots on goal. Robin Fraser has said that William Yarbrough will be in goal again tonight, and the head coach might change some things up with the rest of the squad to keep guys healthy.

With the centerbacks, that could mean Drew Moor (who has started four of the last six games) could make it back into the starting fold, giving either Lalas Abubakar or Danny Wilson a rest. Auston Trusty is also another option—and one the fans are starting to call for as well.

FC Dallas are currently in 11^th place in the Western Conference with a 1-1-3 record (6 points) to the Rapids 2-3-1 record (7 points) that has them in 8th place just below the playoff line. Pending other results, a win tonight could put the Burgundy Boys up as far as 5^th place. FC Dallas was one of the unfortunate teams to have had to leave the MLS is Back Tournament due to almost half of their roster testing positive for COVID-19.

With an 8-24-6 record in Dallas, the Rapids will have to shake off their bad form real fast if there is any hope of a playoff run. This is a game where a team’s character will show itself, should the Rapids come out firing, snag an early goal or two, and play hard for a full 90 minutes then all hope is not lost for the 2020 season

Predicted Starting XI: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Drew Moor, Lalas Abubakar, Sam Vines, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta, Nicolas Mezquida, Diego Rubio, Younes Namli, Kei Kamara

Officials

Referee: Kevin Stott

Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson | AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Greeson

4th Official: Luis Guardia

VAR: Kevin Terry Jr. | AVAR: Jennifer Garner

Colorado

OUT: Kortne Ford (had surgery on his knee on 8/25)

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: none

FC Dallas

OUT: N/A

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: none

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. MT

Venue: Toyota Stadium—Frisco, TX

TV Information: Altitude on DirecTV or streaming with AT&T

Radio Information: AM 950

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required, must be outside of the region)*

Watch Party: Celtic on Market, Frolic Brewing Company (Westminster), Blue Spruce Brewing (Highlands Ranch)

*Vox Media/Burgundy Wave has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Burgundy Wave may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.