The Colorado Rapids (10-11-1, 31 pts., 7th West) are set for an inter-conference matchup with the Columbus Crew (5-12-5, 20 pts., 15th East) on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field is set for 5:30 p.m. MT, with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
Heading into Saturday, the Rapids will look to carry the momentum from their Rocky Mountain Cup victory against Real Salt Lake last weekend. Colorado topped their rivals 1-0 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, allowing them to hoist the RMC for the third consecutive season, something that had not been done previously in club history. Defender Reggie Cannon logged the goal for the Rapids in the contest, marking his second in the club’s last four matches. His performance in the match also earned him his second MLS Team of the Matchday appearance of the season.
The victory marked the continuation of Colorado’s impressive form since returning to play following the FIFA World Cup break. In their six matches since the restart, Colorado has posted a 5-2-0 record, with all five victories being clean sheets. The recent run of form has lifted the club from 12th place in the West to 7th. As it stands, the Rapids are only three points out of fourth place in the conference, and another win would count for a crucial three points as the final third of the MLS season gets underway.
Columbus enters this weekend looking to bounce back from their recent form in MLS play over the past month. The club is winless in their last five MLS matches but saw success in their recent Leagues Cup campaign at the beginning of August. Columbus won two of their three matchups in the tournament’s group stage and earned two points in a shootout victory in the third. Despite their performance early in the tournament, the Crew eventually fell in the knockout stage to Club América.
Saturday's match follows a busy summer transfer window for Colorado, who made some key additions across all areas of the pitch. The club bolstered their attack within the last week, signing forward Sayed Abu Farkhi, winger Ibrahim Sadiq, and winger Morgan Whittaker, who is joining the club on a Designated Player contract from Middlesbrough FC of the EFL Championship. Those three will not be available for selection this weekend as they await the receipt of their P-1 Visas. The trio of attackers joins an already solid group of additions that have already contributed in a major way to the club’s success. Midfielder Youssef Maziz has appeared in four matches for Colorado since being acquired on July 31, logging two assists in that span. Additionally, defender Loïc Williams has been a key addition to the Rapids back line, playing a significant role in the club’s five clean sheets in their last seven matches.
