The Colorado Rapids will put their precarious playoff position to the test when they host the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.
Colorado (11-13-6, 39 points) will lean on its nine-match unbeaten streak at home in MLS play (6-0-3) as it clings to the Western Conference’s final wild-card berth, with Real Salt Lake (10-14-6, 36 points) closing in.
The Rapids recorded a 0-0 road draw against the Portland Timbers last Saturday.
“They’re going to come here and have a big challenge ahead of them,” Colorado midfielder Wayne Frederick said.
While Colorado is winless in its last five matches (0-1-4), Vancouver coach Jesper Sorensen expects the Rapids won’t be content with a draw. The Whitecaps are searching for their first win in Colorado since 2019.
“This time of year you have to throw everything on the pitch,” Sorensen said. “There’s a little more desperation now.”
Even though Vancouver (16-7-7, 55 points) sits atop the Western Conference table, it also has to fend off clubs jockeying for position.
The Whitecaps are four points clear of hard-charging St. Louis City, which had gone unbeaten in 19 straight MLS matches (13-0-6) before a 3-2 setback at Minnesota United last week.
Vancouver has already clinched a playoff spot, but midfielder Oliver Larraz said it’s important for the club to close strong.
“Momentum is everything going into the playoffs,” Larraz said. “You want to keep that going.”
Vancouver picked up a 2-1 road victory over Austin FC last Saturday. Brian White leads the Whitecaps with 17 goals for a club that has outscored opponents 63-31 this season.
Thomas Muller (nine goals, eight assists) and Sam Adekugbe are both out with hamstring injuries. Sorensen said Jeevan Badwal could return from a monthlong injury absence to face the Rapids.
Vancouver handed visiting Colorado a 3-1 defeat on April 25 and will play its fifth straight road match.
“Every game between now and the end of the season is about playing to our identity,” Colorado coach Matt Wells said. “… We have to try and get what would be a massive three points for us.”
–Field Level Media
