The Colorado Rapids can knock the Vancouver Whitecaps out of first place on Saturday when the two sides clash in MLS action at BC Place Stadium.
After a 0-0 draw with Toronto, the Caps are just two points clear of the Burgundy Boys for first in the Western Conference, with the latter defeating Charlotte FC 2-0 in their previous affair.
Match preview
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A hot start to the 2025 domestic campaign has enabled Vancouver to climb to the top of the league table, tied with Inter Miami on points for the Supporters' Shield (13).
Last week, Jesper Sorensen's men failed to find the back of the net for the first time domestically in 2025, while it was the first time they did not score in the regular season since October 5 of last year (0-0 draw with Minnesota United).
They enter this contest in a minor slump, winless in their last three competitive fixtures, scoring just twice over that span after playing to a 1-1 draw with Pumas in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup (CCC) quarter-final tie on Wednesday.
In their previous MLS home defeat against the Chicago Fire (3-1), the Whitecaps conceded more goals in those 90 minutes than they had in their two domestic contests at BC Place before that (one).
So far this year, Vancouver have not lost a single game across all competitions when holding an opponent off the scoresheet in the opening 45 minutes.
They have points in their last three MLS matches against Colorado at BC Place, including a 2-1 win in this exact fixture last year.
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Early into their second season under Chris Armas, the Rapids are proving that their run to the playoffs in 2024 was indeed without fluke.
The Burgundy Boys, who went through two dismal campaigns in 2022 and 2023 before Armas was hired, have suffered just one defeat in six league contests this season.
With 11 points so far, it is their best start to a regular season after six matchdays since 2014 (11 points), when Pablo Mastroeni managed the team.
Coming into this clash, the Rapids have yet to lose an MLS match away from home this year, conceding just once in their three games played as the visitors.
On Saturday, Colorado can win three consecutive matches in this competition away from home for the first time since 2021 (four).
It has been over six years since they last won an MLS game on Canadian soil, defeating the Whitecaps at BC Place 1-0 on Canada Day (July 1) 2018.
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Team News
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In their draw with Toronto, the Caps were without captain Ryan Gauld due to a knee injury, while Bjorn Inge Utvik and Sam Adekugbe were sidelined by quad strains.
Earlier this week, they loaned Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau to Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura for the remainder of the season while signing defender Mark O'Neill to a short-term agreement.
Yohei Takaoka made three stops to collect a clean sheet last Saturday, and Brian White had their only goal in midweek versus Pumas.
Meanwhile, Colorado did not have Sam Vines available versus Charlotte as he was dealing with a sore thigh, Jackson Travis had an issue with his hand and Connor Ronan sat out with an appendix problem.
A shoulder strain kept Ted Ku-DiPietro out of the Rapids lineup last Saturday, while Reggie Cannon was sidelined once again with tightness in his groin.
Djordje Mihailovic netted a brace to propel them to victory over the Crown, with Zack Steffen making three stops to pick up a clean sheet.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Laborda, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Ocampo; Berhalter, Cubas, Ngando; Vite, White, Ahmed
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Maxso, Awaziem, Murphy; Atencio, Bassett; Cabral, Mihailovic, Fernandez; Navarro
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Colorado Rapids
As consistent as the Whitecaps have been so far this year, fatigue could be a factor against a Colorado side brimming with confidence on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
