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[monks data]
Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer
Sep 22, 2024 at 2.30am UK
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Toronto FC

Colorado
2 - 0
Toronto

Cannon (52'), Mihailovic (90+1' pen.)
Larraz (23'), Rosenberry (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Osei Owusu (37'), O'Neill (43'), Flores (70'), Mabika (89'), Kerr (90+4')

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

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

The Colorado Rapids can officially clinch a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs with just a single point on Saturday against Toronto at Dick's Sporting Goods Park

In their midweek affair, the Burgundy Boys were beaten 4-1 by Sporting Kansas City but maintained their fourth-place standing in the Western Conference, while the Reds are clinging to one of the final two post-season berths out East following a 2-0 defeat to the Columbus Crew.


Match preview

Colorado Rapids forward Rafael Navarro celebrates scoring on August 31, 2024© Imago

After weeks of positive results, the Rapids lost for just the second time in eight MLS contests on Wednesday evening in Kansas City.

That was the eighth time in the league this year that former Toronto manager Chris Armas had seen his side concede three or more goals in a match this season.

It was among their poorest domestic performances in 2024, but throughout the year, this group have always come back strong after a rough outing, suffering consecutive defeats only once all year.

A win or draw is all they need to return to the post-season for the first time since 2021, and if they win their remaining five fixtures, the Rapids will eclipse their single-season club record for points from three years ago (61).

They have a chance this weekend to reach double-digits for domestic victories at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the first time since 2022 (10).

The Colorado Rapids are unbeaten in seven successive MLS home games against Toronto, failing to concede in six of those instances.

Toronto teammates Lorenzo Insigne, Richie Laryea and Deandre Kerr celebrate a goal on September 14, 2024© Imago

TFC are still in a playoff position, but they are not making it easy on themselves, losing two of their three league fixtures since the conclusion of the Leagues Cup.

Coming into this encounter, Toronto are only three points above the post-season line but have played one match more than DC United and the Philadelphia Union, the two teams right behind them in the table.

John Herdman has guided them to 36 points after 30 league games, which is more than this club accumulated in any of their previous three regular-season campaigns.

Saturday will be their third game in the span of a week, with the Reds in danger of losing consecutive domestic contests for the first time since July.

Toronto have one win and one loss away from home against Western Conference opponents this year, losing at the Vancouver Whitecaps in April (4-0) and defeating the Houston Dynamo late last month (1-0).

Their last victory against the Rapids at Dick's Sporting Good Park came during the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League (2-0), while they have not won an MLS encounter played there since 2008 (1-0).

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:


Colorado Rapids form (all competitions):


Toronto Major League Soccer form:


Toronto form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L



Team News

Zack Steffen and Cole Bassett of the Colorado Rapids pictured on August 25, 2024© Imago

Because of an illness, Kimani Stewart-Baynes sat out of the previous Rapids encounter, Kevin Cabral was dealing with a sore elbow and Sam Vines did not feature due to a hamstring strain.

Darren Yapi is eligible to return to the Colorado lineup for this encounter after serving his red-card suspension earlier in the week.

Michael Edwards had the only goal for the Rapids against Sporting KC, the first for the 23-year-old defender in the 2024 domestic campaign.

Neither Henry Wingo nor Nicksoen Gomis featured for Toronto on Wednesday after each being subbed off last weekend with minor knocks, while Kevin Long was sidelined with a sore hamstring.

Shane O'Neill missed the match against the Crew because of yellow card accumulation and can return to the fold for this encounter.

Earlier this week, the Reds signed Nathaniel Edwards and Charlie Sharp to contracts until the end of 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027.

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Edwards, Maxso, Travis; Ronan, Bassett; Fernandez, Mihailovic, Lewis; Navarro

Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Laryea, Rosted, O'Neill; Bernardeschi, Longstaff, Coello, Etienne; Osorio, Insigne; Kerr


SM words green background

We say: Colorado Rapids 3-0 Toronto

While Toronto have found a way to stay in the playoff picture all year, we believe fatigue will play a factor for them this weekend against a high-octane attacking force in Colorado, not to mention playing in the high altitude of Commerce City.


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


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Game History

How you voted: Colorado vs Toronto

Colorado Rapids
90.0%
Draw
10.0%
Toronto
0.0%
10
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami33218473472671
2Columbus Crew32179665382760
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati33175115647956
4Orlando City331571158481052
5New York City FCNY City33148115447750
6Charlotte FCCharlotte FC33139114337648
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls33111485347647
8DC United331010135267-1540
9CF MontrealMontreal331010134664-1840
10Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia33910146153837
11Atlanta UnitedAtlanta33910144448-437
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3389163554-1933
14New England RevolutionNew England3294193564-2931
15Chicago Fire3379174059-1930

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy33197768482064
2Los Angeles FCLos Angeles32177858411758
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake331511763471656
4Seattle SoundersSeattle33168950341656
5Houston DynamoHouston33149104538751
6Colorado RapidsColorado33155135957250
7Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd33147125448649
8Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver32138115045547
9Portland TimbersPortland331210116455946
10Austin FCAustin33109143646-1039
11Dallas33108155255-338
12St Louis City33813124959-1037
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3387185064-1431
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3363244075-3521


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