The lone MLS team without a road victory, Austin FC, plans to change that Saturday against the Colorado Rapids in Commerce City, Colo.
The Rapids (6-10-1, 19 points) have fallen to 13th in the Western Conference, five points below the playoff line with only Austin (4-8-5, 17 points) and Sporting KC behind them.
“Any game on the road is difficult,” Austin interim coach Davy Arnaud said.
He added: “We are going to approach the game in Colorado the same way. We are hoping that our first win on the road comes in Colorado.”
Austin forward Brandon Vazquez played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Houston.
He is still seeking his first goal or assist.
“I’m a player who likes getting in the box and get good crosses,” Vazquez said. “I feel like we haven’t gotten to the end line enough … it’s something we need to work on as a group and keep improving on.”
The Rapids could also use an offensive spark. Since MLS play resumed, Colorado has scored once, beating visiting San Diego 1-0 before losing 1-0 at St. Louis last Saturday.
Colorado failed to register a shot on goal against St. Louis after Rob Holding was shown a red card in the 12th minute.
The English defender also was sent off against St. Louis on May 9. Though Holding is suspended Saturday, coach Matt Wells said the Rapids want to return to their pressing style.
“It’s a chance to impose ourselves offensively,” Wells said. “We didn’t get that chance in St. Louis, going down to 10 men. Defensively, we were excellent, and the commitment was outstanding. We need to show those same traits again.”
Wells believes Colorado has the players to make a playoff run.
“We are a very dynamic team if you look at how we rank for sprint distance and high intensity distance in this league,” he said.
He added: “We know when we score first we are a top team in this division.”
–Field Level Media
