The Rapids bring it back to Colorado this weekend with the team's first home match of the 2020 season against Orlando City S.C. at 7 p.m. MT on Saturday. To get you ready for the team's debut in Colorado, the voice of the Rapids on Altitude Sports Radio 92.5, Connor Cape has three storylines to watch in the home opener.
1. Score early, score first
We all know the Rapids have a built-in advantage of playing at elevation 17 times each year. For this weekend's matchup, Orlando will have to be ready to play at 5,280 feet, which is a steep task compared to the elevation of Orlando, 82 feet. Colorado needs to wear the opposition out, dominate possession, and force them to go stride for stride in lung-busting runs. If the Rapids can score early and make Orlando chase the game in its entirety, Colorado has a good shot at being able to add even more to the scoresheet as the elevation takes its toll late in the match.
2. Capitalize on mistakes
In match day one for Orlando City SC, manager Óscar Pareja wasn’t afraid to advance numbers in the attack and put more purple jerseys in the final third. This aggressive approach pays off when you score and the net is rippling, but it also leaves you vulnerable. If the Rapids can maintain their defensive structure against the onslaught and quickly spring on the counter, they'll have the opportunity to get in behind a Lions defense that doesn’t have the manpower to slow them down. The Rapids must be ready to utilize their pace and play diagonal balls to the wingers when Orlando makes a mistake, whether the counter begins in their own third or the middle.
3. Invigorate the home crowd
I know one match is already in the books for the Rapids, but I like to think of the home opener as a true first impression. This is a massive opportunity for the Burgundy Boys to put their best foot forward and introduce the 2020 version of themselves to all of Colorado. Play fast, play exciting, set the tone for the entire home campaign by getting the faithful fans involved and on their feet. It doesn’t hurt that the forecast for Saturday is the opposite of last season’s home opener, with a projected high of 67 degrees, compared to the coldest game in MLS history last season. It should be a fun one!
