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Colorado Rapids

Know the Opposition: Colorado Rapids Head to Vancouver

October 24, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Ahead of the final weekend of the regular season, the Vancouver Whitecaps are a side slipping into some kind of form, and one with much still to play for. Carl Robinson's team currently lie in fifth spot in the Western Conference, one point and one place ahead of the Portland Timbers.

By the time the Rapids' match at BC Place kicks-off, Vancouver may already be assured of a place in the playoffs, as the Timbers' contest at FC Dallas will have just about finished.

The Whitecaps' form in recent weeks has been impressive. Last weekend's goalless draw at San Jose Earthquakes aside, the Canadian club had previously won at Seattle Sounders and beaten both FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake at home.

A big part of Vancouver's recent run has been their sound defensive play, with three shutouts and just one goal conceded during the four-game unbeaten run. Their current shutout streak stands at 303 minutes, which is only 49 minutes short of the longest shutout streak in MLS this season, held by Chivas USA.

Robinson is expected to have a full squad at his disposal, as central defender Kendall Waston will be available after serving a one-match suspension due to caution accumulation.

Pedro Morales leads the Whitecaps' scoring charts with 10, followed by Jamaica international Darren Mattocks (6), Erik Hurtado and Sebastian Fernandez (both 5). Morales is also the creative force, providing 11 assists.

This will be a third meeting of the season between the Whitecaps and the Rapids, and the third time in the last four years that these teams have met on the final day of the regular season.

On the final day of last season, the Rapids - already assured a place in the postseason - were soundly beaten 3-0 in British Columbia, courtesy of a Camilo hat-trick. A win would have lifted the Rapids to third in the standings, above Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy. Instead, they finished fifth at the end of the regular season, and would then lose 2-0 at the Sounders in the midweek MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Knockout match.

The two sides also met at BC Place on the final day of the 2011 season. On that occasion the Rapids triumphed 2-1, courtesy of a late winner from Wells Thompson.

Despite not having won since July 25 - a 13-game winless stretch - the Rapids enjoyed success in the earlier meetings in 2014, winning 2-1 at BC Place in April courtesy of two wonder goals from Jose Mari, before triumphing 2-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at the end of June.

This will be only the 11th meeting with the Whitecaps, who are in their fourth season in MLS. Despite current positions, the Rapids have won four of the previous five contests.

There will be changes to the Rapids' lineup, with rookie Jared Watts suspended. His place is likely to be filled by the returning Shane O'Neill. Both Marc Burch (hamstring) and Kamani Hill (rib) are a doubt for Saturday's season finale, while Jose Mari sat out training earlier in the week due to hamstring tightness.

Coverage of this weekend's match can be seen on Altitude. Rapids Kick-Off, at 7.30 p.m MT, is followed by live action from BC Place. Richard Fleming and Marcelo Balboa will call the game, while injured Rapids skipper, Drew Moor, will join them to preview the action.

Kick-off will be at just after 8.20 p.m MT, due to a pre-match ceremony to honor Whitecaps' defender Jay DeMerit, who was forced to retire from soccer in July due to injury.

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