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Charlotte FC
Major League Soccer
Apr 16, 2023 at 12.30am UK
Bank of America Stadium
Colorado Rapids

Charlotte FC
2 - 2
Colorado

Vargas (62'), Jozwiak (65')
Jones (50')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Max (54'), Barrios (90+1')
Abubakar (1'), Rubio (45+2'), Max (52'), Yapi (63'), Acosta (88')

Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Charlotte FC and Colorado Rapids will both look to record their second wins of the MLS season when they face off on Saturday.

The hosts are winless in three games, while Colorado claimed their first victory of the campaign last weekend.


Match preview

Charlotte FC head coach Christian Lattanzio on the sidelines in the second half at Bank of America Stadium. on February 25, 2023© Reuters

Charlotte's second season in the MLS has begun in less than ideal circumstances, with their opening seven games yielding one win, two draws and four defeats.

Since beating Orlando City 2-1 on March 18, Christian Lattanzio's side played out consecutive draws before they were beaten by Real Salt Lake last weekend despite taking the lead.

Karol Swiderski opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but second-half strikes from Real Salt Lake's Pablo Ruiz, Anderson Julio and Jefferson Savarino condemned Charlotte to a 3-1 away defeat.

Montreal Impact are the only side in the MLS that has conceded more goals this season than Charlotte, who have shipped 14 in their seven league games, which will concern Lattanzio.

Colorado could be the perfect opponent for a Charlotte side looking to claim their first clean sheet of the season, as the only previous competitive meeting between the two teams ended in a goalless draw in April last year.

Colorado Rapids midfielder Ralph Priso (97) and midfielder Cole Bassett (23) and forward Darren Yapi (77) celebrate during the first half against Sporting Kansas City at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 4, 2023© Reuters

After beginning the campaign with three draws and three defeats in their opening six games, Colorado finally secured their first win of the season at the seventh time asking.

Diego Rubio's 68th-minute strike in last weekend's away meeting with Sporting KC proved to be a decisive goal, securing Colorado a crucial 1-0 victory.

After playing out two draws prior to the narrow win, Robin Fraser's side will have the chance to make it four games without defeat on Saturday.

Having scored just three goals across their seven games this season, Colorado will be targeting an improvement in the final third.

They will be hoping that they can score more than one goal in an MLS game for the first time since beating San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in September.

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Charlotte FC forward Enzo Copetti (9) celebrates goal with Charlotte FC midfielder Kamil Jozwiak (7) in the first half against the St. Louis City at CITYPARK on March 4, 2023© Reuters

The hosts are expected to be without Guzman Corujo and Ashley Westwood due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.

After undergoing back surgery in January, Kristijan Kahlina is yet to feature this season, and he is unlikely to return in time for Saturday's encounter.

Derrick Jones dropped down to the bench for the defeat to Real Salt Lake, but he could return to the Charlotte midfield this weekend.

As for Colorado, they are unable to call upon the injured duo of Moises Bombito and Jack Price, while there are doubts over the availability of Cole Bassett and Braian Galvan.

Steven Beitashour could come into the side to replace Andreas Maxso, who is set to miss out after being stretchered off with a head injury last weekend.

Jonathan Lewis is expected to keep his place in the forward line, with the 25-year-old looking to open his account for the 2023 season.

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Marks; Lindsey, Malanda, Tuiloma, Afful; Bender, Jones, Bronico; Jozwiak, Swiderski, Copetti

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Beitashour, Abubakar, Wilson; Rosenberry, Acosta, Ronan, Nicholson; Rubio, Max; Lewis


SM words green background

We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 Colorado Rapids

Colorado would have been relieved to secure their first win of the season last weekend, and after gaining confidence from their narrow victory against Sporting KC, we think that they will go on to claim all three points against a Charlotte side that have lost two of their opening three home games.

How to watch

You can watch Charlotte FC vs. Colorado Rapids and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Ben Sully

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6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
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8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
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3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
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