Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen has known as on his team-mates to make good on the aspect’s glorious 2024 to this point and end the season strongly, beginning with Saturday’s journey to FC Dallas.
Colorado sit fourth within the Western Convention standings as they resume MLS motion after ending third within the Leagues Cup, beating the Philadelphia Union within the bronze-medal match.
Chris Armas has the Rapids eyeing dwelling benefit within the playoffs in his first 12 months on the helm, and Steffen says it’s all about psychological power as they enter the run-in.
“It’s been an extended month with numerous video games and journey and every thing. It’s been good to come back dwelling and have a full week to stay up for Dallas,” Steffen mentioned.
“It’s again to MLS for us now, so we’re totally centered on Dallas and ensuring we choose up three factors on Saturday.
“We’re getting higher each day, it’s been enjoyable. We’ve an excellent group of men who’re hungry to compete and to develop. It’s been an excellent begin however now it’s about ending robust.”
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Dallas, in the meantime, are down in tenth, albeit only one level of Austin FC, who occupy the ultimate play-in spot within the West.
Interim coach Peter Luccin oversaw an exhilarating 4-3 victory at D.C. United final day trip – Dallas’ third win in 4 regular-season video games, and he thinks it could possibly be a significant turning level.
“For us to win on the street, it wasn’t straightforward,” mentioned Luccin. “We knew that they have been going to battle till the tip, they fought arduous.
“We have to keep centered. We have to have the identical power. We have to hold taking part in the soccer that now we have been taking part in.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Sebastian Lletget
Lletget had a purpose and two assists in FC Dallas’ win at D.C. United final Saturday, his second profession match with three purpose contributions in MLS, having additionally achieved the feat in September 2019 versus Sporting Kansas Metropolis.
Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro
Navarro (11) and Djordje Mihailovic (10) are the second pair of Rapids team-mates to every rating 10 targets in a single common season since 2010, after Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio in 2019).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Colorado have received 5 of their seven conferences with Dallas for the reason that begin of 2021 (one draw, one defeat), together with a 2-1 dwelling win when the perimeters final confronted off on April 20.
The Rapids had received simply 5 of their earlier 24 conferences with Dallas from July 2012 by 2020 (eight attracts, 11 defeats).
It seems tough to separate the groups for this one, with Dallas successful three of their final 4 regular-season matches (one draw), however not inspiring a lot hope in defence, conceding 5 occasions of their final three matches.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 39.1%
Colorado Rapids – 34.3%
Draw – 26.6%
