[Note: We posted this scouting report last week ahead of the originally scheduled date of the game between FC Dallas and Colorado. We’ve updated a few spots where needed.]
The home finale is here for FC Dallas as they host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night in Frisco.
The Rapids are coming off a pretty embarrassing loss last weekend in Houston when the Dynamo downed the already-eliminated Rapids 5-1.
Let’s dive into how FC Dallas can pick up three points at home Saturday night against their old rivals.
Key Player: Connor Ronan
Ronan has scored (1) or assisted (9) on 10 of the Rapids' 18 goals since the beginning of May.
Key Matchup: Andrew Gutman vs Ema Twumasi
We saw in the previous meeting between FC Dallas and Colorado how dangerous Gutman can be on the wings from his defensive position. Dallas struggled in that meeting to contain Gutman, and the defender was able to get forward into the attack a lot.
Quick Notes:
Recent run against FC Dallas: Colorado has won four of its last five meetings with FC Dallas, including the last two in a row, with all four wins coming at home. The Rapids last won three in a row over Dallas in 2000-01, though they'll need to win in Dallas to do so, something they haven't done in their last eight visits in all competitions (D3 L5).
Down and out: The Rapids have lost 10 straight away matches in all competitions, being outscored 30—6 in those games. Colorado’s club record road losing streak in all competitions is 11 matches from 2016 to 2017, with the 11th loss in that run coming at FC Dallas.
Away in 2023: The Rapids only have five total wins this season, but two of them did come away at Kansas City and LA. Their last road win was against the Galaxy back in May.
Availability Report:
Suspended: none
Out: Sidnei Tavares (illness), Alex Gersbach (adductor tendon surgery), Aboubacar Keita (lower body), Jack Price (Achilles), William Yarbrough (knee surgery), Max (removed from team activities)
Questionable: none
International duty: none
Potential Lineup:
Following the firing of Robin Fraser, the Rapids continue to use a 4-3-2-1 formation, though it will look a bit different than when these two squared off back in July.
Illic; Anderson, Abubakar, Maxsø, Gutman; Bassett, Ronan; Harris, Rubio, Nicholson, Navarro
Keys To Three Points over Colorado
- Control the pace - We know Colorado is a tough out for FC Dallas, but as long as FC Dallas forces the Rapids to chase this game and not get comfortable in possession like they did back in July when the two sides squared off in Commerce City, we should see a positive result.
- Finish your chances - It may seem like a broken record at this point, but for FC Dallas to reach the postseason, they have to make the most of their chances in front of the goal. They can no longer afford to end a game with four or five shots total and expect points. They have to be more lethal in their attack, take more chances and finish those chances.
- Be smart defensively - The Rapids are indeed the spoiler in this one, so defensively, FC Dallas cannot afford to give up sloppy passes in the back between their defenders and the midfield (or with keeper Maarten Paes). While the Rapids have struggled on the road in 2023 and have one of the worst attacks in MLS (only 25 goals scored all season), they did put up two against FC Dallas in the last meeting.
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