PREVIEW – The Vancouver Whitecaps can make up some lost ground in the table with their rescheduled match against the already-eliminated Colorado Rapids in Denver, Colorado. If the ‘Caps win this game, they can jump up to 4th on level matches with most of the teams around them. Colorado, meanwhile, will look to build towards next season and finish the year on a good note in the Whitecaps vs Colorado match-up at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Perfect Platform To Push For Playoffs: Whitecaps vs Colorado Predictions
Vancouver Whitecaps Current Run of Form
The Whitecaps are looking to bounce back from two road losses in a row after a great start to a long road game run. After being resoundly beaten 4-1 by the Houston Dynamo in Texas, they sloppily let points drop once again in Utah against Real Salt Lake in a 2-1 loss that easily could have been a win. “We were very unlucky in Salt Lake” remarked ‘Caps head coach Vanni Sartini after training on Tuesday. “Not only unlucky, but also a little bit soft in decisve moments, but we deserved to win.”
Now in this match against Colorado, due to it being a rescheduled match after the massive storm that postponed the original matchup way back in late-June, provides a chance for the ‘Caps to get some momentum. It also allows the Caps to get one over their rivals that have played an extra game if they win, giving this occasion even more importance to get the three points.
“We’ve always considered this a bonus game” explained Sartini to the media scrum on Tuesday. “So we need to go with this ‘bonus game’ and give it all our will to try to win it”.
This final game will mark the end to their seven-game away run, before finally coming back home to BC Place on Saturday against DC United.
MATCH RECAP | Resilient ‘Caps suffer 2-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake #VWFC| #RSLvVAN pic.twitter.com/7L6ipH7LPl
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) September 24, 2023
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Colorado Rapids Current Run of Form
Colorado Rapids, on the other hand, are looking to improve after being eliminated from the play-offs and only winning one game (a 2-1 win over NE Revolution) from their last six MLS games since the Leagues Cup break. Their fate was sealed in their last match against Portland, where they narrowly loss 3-2 after an initial comeback, leveling 2-2 after going down 2-0 in the opening 30 minutes.
“Obviously, disappointed with the result and a loss, but really pleased with the with the fight” described Colorado’s interim head coach Chris Little via the official Colorado communications team. “To go two goals behind in a poor start to the game and then show a lot of spirit and character, I was really proud of the group and the fight that they showed. Shows this group is together, and from a coaching perspective, we were delighted with that. Just unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
Now that the Rapids are officially eliminated from play-off contention, the players and coaches likely will look to improve and build on this season, despite the obvious disappointment. This “turning-of-a-new-chapter” can start on Wednesday against the Whitecaps, while spoiling the party for their Western Conference rivals in the process.
Final. #PORvCOL pic.twitter.com/mpmQ5uTDwx
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 24, 2023
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Recent Head To Head
The last time these two teams faced was in a scoreless draw at BC Place back at the end of April. Both teams had ample chances to score, with the xG being 1.33 for the ‘Caps to 1.17 for the Rapids, but neither team was clinical enough. Prior to that, the Rapids won their home leg of the season against the Whitecaps to the tune of a 3-1 scoreline at the end of 2022. Brian White was the lone ‘Caps scorer as he opened the scoreline, before goals from Gyasi Zardes, Diego Rubio and Jonathan Lewis sealed the win for the Rapids.
In fact, the last time the ‘Caps beat Colorado in Denver was way back in May of 2019, in an exciting 3-2 win. English defender Andy Rose got the late winner for the Whitecaps in the 87-minute. The ‘Caps will look to replicate that result four years on, especially with what is at stake if they win.
Fulltime in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/H7YY7H9cb5
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) September 11, 2022
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Match Predictions
They say that a team that has nothing left to lose is more dangerous than most. This might well be the case for the Rapids, who will look to fight for pride on Wednesday night against the ‘Caps. Meanwhile, the ‘Caps will have to go all out despite being fatigued from such a long away-run, due to the crucial implications at play. This means we will likely see an exciting game between two teams that want nothing more to win, albeit for different reasons. Don’t be surprised then if this match ends up being a 3-2 or 4-3 classic come the end of the final whistle.
Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports, of a Danny Wilson Headshot and a Pedro Vite Headshot, on April 29, 2023.
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