LAFC at Colorado Rapids
Saturday, May 12, 2022
12:30pm PT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado
TV: Univision, TUDN, Twitter
Radio: ESPN LA 710 AM, ESPN LA app, 980 AM La Mera Mera
The Black & Gold travel to face the Colorado Rapids Saturday for the second time this season, after defeating them 3-0 in the Season Opener.
LAFC’s 2-2 tie with Philadelphia on May 7 allowed the Black & Gold to remain undefeated at Banc of California Stadium and kept them in the number one spot in the MLS standings for another week early in the season.
LAFC (7-1-2, 23 points) currently leads MLS in points and advanced to the Round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. The Black & Gold has outscored its opponents 30-11 this year in all competitions, and the Club is tied for the best record to start a season, equaling the start of the record-breaking 2019 Supporter’s Shield wining side.
The Rapids (3-4-3 record, 12 points) play a style similar to Philadelphia and Minnesota, LAFC’s last two opponents – they have a unique, compact style of attack which features a different formation and a talented forward in the newly acquired Gyasi Zardes from the Columbus Crew. The Rapids are trying to rekindle the magic of last season, where they claimed first place in the Western Conference.
“Colorado is a team we remember well from our first game,” LAFC goalkeeper Max Crepeau said. “They threw a lot of crosses into the box and we have to be ready and know where the ball is and where their strikers are at all times.”
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COLORADO RAPIDS IN-DEPTH
The Rapids have a familiar style of offensive attack, moving offensively in a similar fashion to the Philadelphia Union. They can create great set piece opportunities while moving in transition quickly. Faced with injuries and coming off a rescheduled Open Cup match that saw them play the last 70 minutes vs. Minnesota on Thursday, May 12, the Rapids could match-up in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation. They are very good on the counterattack led by Zardes, who is a dangerous deep threat for the Rapids. On their left side, Jonathan Lewis serves as a threat who produces scoring opportunities through his vision, while on the right side they look to Max Alves da Silva to create set pieces.
LAFC WILL WIN IF:
They continue to play the game on their own terms. LAFC will need to generate passes through midfield to break through the Rapids defensive pressure. If LAFC can stay composed under pressure and play deep passes when available -- it will be hard for Colorado to score on the counterattack.
COLORADO RAPIDS CAN WIN IF:
They stick to their formation and remain consistent, compact, and organized like Philadelphia did a week ago. If they are able to transition quickly while keeping LAFC unbalanced, they will find high-percentage shot on goals and create accurate crosses which Zardes is more than capable of putting in to the back of the net.
Inspired by Dark Souls, a 2011 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games.
