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

Colorado Rapids will look to maintain their impressive unbeaten run when they host Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS on Sunday.

The Rapids are currently third in the Western Conference, while Whitecaps are ninth and in the race for a playoff spot.

Match preview

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Going into this weekend, Colorado Rapids are just three points behind Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City, having played two games fewer.

Rapids have suffered just one defeat in their last 14 matches and are unbeaten in their last nine, putting them in a strong position for the final seven weeks of the regular season.

On Wednesday, Robin Fraser's side drew 2-2 away at Portland Timbers, being deprived of victory in the 91st minute as Sebastian Blanco netted a late equaliser for the hosts.

It was a second successive draw for Rapids, but they have not gone three games without win so far in 2021.

The Denver-based outfit have only lost one home game all season – against Austin in April – meaning they are unbeaten in 10 matches at DSG Park.

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Vancouver Whitecaps' 10-match unbeaten run was brought to an end last week, as they lost 1-0 to Portland Timbers.

It was a third game in charge for interim boss Vanni Sartini, who took the reins following Marc Dos Santos's departure at the end of August.

The result leaves Whitecaps four points off a playoff place, but after their trip to Colorado, their following three games are all against teams currently below them in the Western Conference.

However, the Canadian side have only one won of their 11 away games this season, which was their most recent trip to Austin.

Colorado Rapids have only won two of the previous nine meetings between the two sides, but that includes a 1-0 victory earlier this season.

Team News

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Colorado Rapids top goalscorer Michael Barrios will be pushing for a start after finding the back of the net as a substitute in midweek.

Goalkeeper William Yarbrough has kept the second-highest number of clean sheets in MLS this season (nine), but has conceded in six of his last seven matches.

Younes Namli is a long-term absentee for the hosts after undergoing ankle surgery last month.

Lucas Cavallini returned earlier than expected from a knee injury last week for Vancouver Whitecaps, coming on for the final half hour against Portland Timbers.

The Canadian striker will therefore be pushing for a start on Sunday, along with winger Deiber Caicedo, who has been limited to substitute appearances in the last three games.

Whitecaps are short of options at full-back, with Bruno Gaspar, Jake Nerwinski and Cristian Gutierrez all sidelined.

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Abubakar, Wilson, Trusty; Rosenberry, Price, Acosta, Galvan; Shinyashiki, Lewis; Barrios

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Brown, Godoy, Jungwirth, Metcalfe; Bikel, Owusu, Teibert; Dajome, White, Gauld

We say: Colorado Rapids 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

With the Rapids particularly strong on home turf and Whitecaps possessing a poor away record this season, the Denver side have to be favourites for this one. Fraser's men do not score loads of goals though, so it could be a tight affair.