Rapids Look to Crash the Caps Party

The Colorado Rapids (3-1-2) travel to face off against the Western Conference leaders, the Vancouver Whitecaps (4-1-1), this weekend. It's been a little up and down to start the season for Colorado but still good enough for 5th position and just two points off the top of the table.

Considering the injuries and inconsistent team performances, it's safe to assume they're content going into this Saturday's match. It's early in the season but a win against the Caps would be a statement victory. Although the Caps are playing in CONCACAF Champions League where they played their starters mid-week, I wouldn't jump to any preconceived notion that it makes the game easier. Head Coach Chris Armas has already shared this exact thought with the media and with the club "Any time you think a team is gonna be tired, or go with a second rate team, or they're rotating or blah, blah, blah... you're finished".

Standout Performers

One key factor to the team's success this season has been Designed Player (DP) production. Every successful MLS team requires their star players to be the difference makers in the team. Not the least of which is because of the MLS roster rules and how teams build their squad. Djordje Mihailovic and Rafael Navarro are playing like top tier DP's this season combining for 7 goals and 2 assists collectively through the first 6 matches of the season. This kind of DP output is not something the Colorado fanbase (or ownership) is used to in recent memory. They've both been key members of a fluid attack that involves dynamic play and quick counters as well as late runners into the danger area. Mihailovic earned MLS Player of the Matchday honors after a strong outing last week against Charlotte FC. He bagged a brace in the 2-0 win with goals in the 78' and 81' respectively.

(Image: Colorado Rapids Soccer Club)

All that being said you can't ignore the elephant in the Rapids locker room unfortunately. Kevin Cabral. The ideas, the runs and the effort have all been there for him. Finishing plays continues to evade the Frenchman as fans have started calling for rotation in his position. As a DP player, the demands are high and Cabral is simply not performing at the clip the team requires of him. Meanwhile, Omir Fernandez and Calvin Harris will be ready to pounce given the chance to play more minutes. Although not expected to ready to play this weekend, new signing Ted Ku-DiPietro is training with the team and will be pushing for a starting spot on the right wing once healthy.

(Image: Colorado Rapids Soccer Club)

Zack Steffen has cemented himself as an elite keeper in MLS this season. There were a lot of skeptics when Steffen left Europe who are being quieted by his commanding performances lately. The idea that he could rise back through the ranks in the US National Team via the Colorado Rapids also seemed outrageous to some. Just this week, MLSsoccer.com writer Matt Doyle said "He's been the best keeper in the league by a mile". For all my fellow soccer nerds out there, look at how incredible his Fbref chart below is! Steffen has been dominate Steffen in net this season. To the naked eye and every advanced stat you can t think of.

(Image: Colorado Rapids Soccer Club)

Final Thoughts

This is not expected to be an easy match for the Burgundy Boys. Away at Vancouver is a challenge for any MLS club right now. The Caps are playing solid in every aspect of the game where Brian White leads the attack where he creates havoc as a target striker. The core of the Rapids defense will look to shut down entry passes disallowing White to be involved in the game.

Former Rapids HC Robin Fraser, and current Toronto FC HC, recently shared that they're "The best Vancouver team I think I've seem them have". Look for the Rapids to come in with a defense first approach as allowing an early goal could be a back breaker. I'm expecting to see smooth transitions from defense to attack, and to read when to slow down or pick up speed on the ball. The midfield core of Cole Bassett, Josh Atencio and Oliver Larraz (even if he floats out to the wing) can be just as big of difference makers as the attacking duo of Mihailovic and Navarro through smart decision making and their ability to seemingly never stop running.

Even if Colorado sits back and looks to counter, they're also capable to simply dominating possession and picking apart their opponent slowly. This weekends matchup should be a fun, attacking one from both teams. Thanks for reading and enjoy the match!

Kickoff: 7:30pm MT on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass