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MLS Colorado Rapids

Preview: Rapids Kick off Texas Road Stand in Dallas

October 3, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids (5-15-11, 26 pts) visit FC Dallas (10-11-10, 41 pts) at Toyota Stadium this Wednesday, October 4, for the first match of a two-game Texas road trip (6:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV - Free, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).

Last Saturday, the Rapids secured a 1-0 home victory against Austin FC thanks to a defender Andreas Maxsø's first-half goal off Connor Ronan's corner kick, his second tally of the season. Ronan's assist marked his team-leading tenth assist of the season, joining Jack Price (2019 and 2021) as the only Rapids players since 2010 to produce at least 10 assists in a single season. It also marks Ronan's second consecutive assist in as many matches, a first in his MLS career, as well as his third assist in his last five appearances. The Rapids defense held Austin scoreless for the club's ninth shutout of the season and Rapids goalkeeper Marko Ilić's second regular-season clean sheet this year. Rapids homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson made his first start with the club since 2019 and helped the team shut out the Texas side. The Rapids have now scored in five consecutive games, the longest scoring streak this season. Of the last five matches, the club has scored three multi-goal games.

Wednesday's match against FC Dallas will be the second time the two clubs meet this season. The Rapids came away with a 2-1 win in July at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, ending a nine-game winless streak at the time. The game saw Maxsø's first goal in Burgundy, and in the second half, winger Braian Galván gave the Rapids the lead with a Panenka penalty kick. Maxsø's performance earned him a place in the Team of the Matchday for his contributions to the victory over Dallas. Rapids defender Andrew Gutman made his debut for the club in that match, starting and playing all 90 minutes.

Dallas hosts the Rapids after recording just one win in their last six games, a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Sept. 20. In Dallas' last game, the team was held to a scoreless draw against Houston Dynamo FC. The draw allowed FC Dallas to retain El Capitán, a Civil War-era replica cannon, which is given to the winner of the annual Texas derby between Houston and Dallas. Since both matches between the two sides ended tied (1-1, May 20; 0-0 Sept. 30), Dallas kept the trophy as the holders from last year. Before their draw against Houston, Dallas had scored in seven consecutive matches, although they are still ranked near the bottom of the league for goals scored with 35. Dallas is built on a steady defense that has allowed the third-fewest goals conceded with 34. Despite that number, the team only has seven clean sheets, which is tied for 20th in the league this season. Leading the scoring for Dallas is U.S. Men's National Team forward Jesús Ferreira who has contributed 12 goals, placing him tied for the 11th most in MLS, in addition to four assists, which are tied for the second-most on the team. Bernard Kamungo is the next highest scorer with just four goals, while Jáder Obrian leads the team with five assists.

Both the Rapids and FC Dallas, originally known as Dallas Burn, are MLS charter clubs, two of the 10 inaugural sides that helped kick off the league in 1996. Dallas holds the regular-season series advantage (28-35-18), although the Rapids have had recent success, posting a 4-1-1 record in the last six matchups between the two clubs. The heated rivalry between the two has been bolstered by each acting as the other's roadblock in different competitions. Meeting in the playoffs five times, the Rapids have eliminated Dallas from MLS Cup contention in each of their postseason matchups, including Dallas' 2006 Western Conference-leading campaign. In 2010, the Rapids faced Dallas in the MLS Cup Final, where Colorado overcame an early deficit to beat Dallas in extra time and win the championship. On the flip side, Dallas has met Colorado in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament on four different occasions and prevailed each time.

Historically, the Rapids have struggled on the road against Dallas, posting an 8-26-7 away record. The club last won at Toyota Stadium in 2016, in a 1-0 effort that saw former Rapids forward Dominique Badji score the game-winning goal. Despite their road woes, the Rapids have scored at Toyota Stadium in four out of their last five matches there.

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