LAFC vs. Colorado Rapids
Saturday, June 29 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA 🏟
TV: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass 🖥
Radio: 710 AM ESPN 📻, ESPN LA App 📱, KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera 📻
Events: Level Up arcade (5:30-7:30pm & 10-11:30pm) 🕹
After a dominant 6-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday, LAFC kicks off against Western Conference rival Colorado Rapids on Saturday, June 29, at BMO Stadium.
The Black & Gold are coming off a game full of highlights: Kei Kamara's 33rd-minute strike propelled him into second place on the all-time MLS scoring list with his 146th career goal, surpassing Landon Donovan.
LAFC’s club-record-tying six goals scored against the Earthquakes boosted the Black & Gold (11W-4L-4D) into a three-way tie with RSL and the LA Galaxy for first place in the Western Conference with 37 points from 19 matches played.
Denis Bouanga’s goal against San Jose keeps the Gabonese international in third place (13 goals) in the 2024 MLS Golden Boot race, three goals behind leader and former teammate Cristian Arango.
LAFC remains undefeated in its last 10 matches across all competitions and its last eight in league play – new club records in both categories.
To date, the Black & Gold owns a 6W-4L-1D record against the Colorado Rapids across all competitions. In their last matchup on March 30, the Rapids twice came from behind to steal all three points from LAFC as a Djordje Mihailovic double in the final 10 minutes of the match allowed the home side to claim a 3-2 victory.
Rapids in-depth
Colorado (6W-7L-5D), riding a three-game win streak in which it has outscored opponents 9-1, currently sits fourth place in the Western Conference with 31 points from 20 matches.
The Rapids attack is led by designated player Rafael Navarro, who has 11 goals and three assists this season. He’s supported by midfielder Djordje Mihailovic's nine goals and eight assists.
Coached by former United States international Chris Armas, the Rapids aim to get back into the postseason for the first time since 2021, while turning the page on a 2023 season that saw the squad finish last in the Western Conference.
The Rapids will be without defender Moïse Bombito (Canada), who is away on international duty at the 2024 Copa América.
The Black & Gold Can Win If:
It can remain focused on the task at hand as a primetime matchup against cross-town rivals, LA Galaxy, looms on the Fourth of July at the Rose Bowl. LAFC needs to continue to harness the hot play of Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz. Bogusz has a goal or an assist in all eight games during LAFC’s current league unbeaten streak. Additionally, LAFC is unbeaten at 10W-0L-1D this season when Bouanga has a goal or an assist.
Colorado Can Win If:
They carry their momentum into a challenging away environment at BMO Stadium and prevent LAFC from creating easy scoring opportunities. During its recent three-matches-in-eight-days stretch, the Rapids scored nine goals while conceding only one – a combination of defensive solidity and offensive prowess similar to that of the Black & Gold. Colorado will look to capitalize on the form of Navarro and Mihailovic, who have combined to score in each of the Rapids' last 10 matches.
