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Orlando City
Major League Soccer
Jun 11, 2023 at 1.20am UK
Exploria Stadium
Colorado Rapids

Orlando City
2 - 0
Colorado

Torres (56'), Enrique (83')
Carlos (24'), Smith (52')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Abubakar (6'), Fraser (7'), Yapi (89')
Galvan (39'), Abubakar (75')

Preview: Orlando City vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Orlando City and Colorado Rapids, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Orlando City will be looking to move into the top half of the Eastern Conference when they welcome the Colorado Rapids to Exploria Stadium on Saturday for an East versus West battle in MLS.

The Lions have been solid in recent weeks and come into this match unbeaten in their last five after overcoming the New York Red Bulls 3-0 last week, while in complete contrast, the Rapids' stalemate against the Earthquakes meant that they have failed to win any of their last six in the league and seven in all competitions.


Match preview

Orlando City SC midfielder Facundo Torres (17) reacts after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Exploria Stadium on February 25, 2023© Reuters

Following their unexpected exit from the US Open Cup at the start of last month, Orlando City seem to have found their stride again as we head past the midway point in the regular MLS season.

They are unbeaten in their last three home games and have taken nine points from their last five matches, which included two valuable draws against higher-ranked opposition Columbus Crew and Atlanta United.

Oscar Pareja talked at length about Orlando's inability to find a full 90-minute performance this season after their draw against Atlanta, and his side responded in a big way at the Red Bull Arena last week, scoring in both halves and keeping their clean sheet intact until the final whistle.

Facundo Torres, who arrived from Penarol for a club-record signing fee last season, made an instant impact with nine goals and 10 assists in his debut season and he is starting to show his potential again this term after bagging a brace against the Red Bulls.

The 23-year-old Uruguayan has notched up four goals this season and has already got the nod from the new national team coach Marcelo Bielsa for the upcoming friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba later this month.

Having played a game less than the sides around them, another positive result here would add to a run that the hosts may look back on as the turning point of the campaign at the end of the season.

Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser gestures to his team on May 25, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, following their hard-fought 0-0 draw against the Earthquakes last week, the Rapids have now gone seven matches in all competitions without a win and are languishing at the wrong end of the Western Conference.

While that draw may not have been seen as an ideal result, there were certainly several positives that Robin Fraser would have taken from the match, especially the resilience shown by his side after being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

They outperformed San Jose in terms of possession and passes completed despite being a man light and showed defensive solidity by not allowing their opponents to register a single shot on target in the match.

The Rapids' last league win came against the only side with a worse record this season, LA Galaxy, at the start of last month, courtesy of goals by Jonathan Lewis, Kevin Cabral and Lalas Abubakar.

Despite losing their last two away matches, the Rapids have had more success on the road than at DSG Park, picking up nine of their 13 points this season on their travels.

Having slowed the rot with a draw in their last match, Colorado will want to kick on from here but will also know that they face a tough assignment in this one against a Lions side that has built up some positive momentum in recent weeks.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Orlando City boss Oscar Pareja on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Pareja will have to wait for a late fitness update on Gaston Gonzalez, who has missed the last two matches after picking up a hamstring injury against Inter Miami a few weeks ago.

If the left-winger is unable to make it back in time for first-team selection, it would likely pave the way for last week's opening goalscorer Ivan Angulo to continue down the flank for the Lions.

Abdi Salim and Luca Petrasso are the longer-term absentees for the hosts and are only expected to return to full training in July and mid-June, respectively.

Meanwhile, Fraser will have a few holes to fill in the Rapids lineup following Moise Bombito's sending-off against the Red Bulls last week.

The Canadian defender joins Max Alves on the suspension list, with the latter expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future while facing an ongoing investigation regarding his involvement in match-fixing.

Abubakar will be the front-runner to slot into a back three alongside Andreas Maxso and Danny Wilson, releasing Cole Bassett into a five-man midfield.

Longer-term injuries include Aboubacar Keita and Jack Price, while Diego Rubio has not shaken off his ankle injury just yet, which should see Lewis continue to lead the line with Cabral.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Santos, Jansson, Carlos, Smith; Cartagena, Araujo, Torres, Pereyra, Angulo; Kara

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Wilson, Maxso, Abubakar; Rosenberry, Acosta, Ronan, Nicholson, Bassett; Lewis, Cabral


SM words green background

We say: Orlando City 2-1 Colorado Rapids

History shows that this is usually a very close matchup and there is little to suggest that this time will be any different. The hosts have good form coming into the encounter and will be determined to keep their unbeaten streak intact.

How to watch

You can watch Orlando City vs. Colorado Rapids and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Game History

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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami33218473472671
2Columbus Crew32179665382760
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati33175115647956
4Orlando City331571158481052
5New York City FCNY City33148115447750
6Charlotte FCCharlotte FC33139114337648
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls33111485347647
8DC United331010135267-1540
9CF MontrealMontreal331010134664-1840
10Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia33910146153837
11Atlanta UnitedAtlanta33910144448-437
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3389163554-1933
14New England RevolutionNew England3294193564-2931
15Chicago Fire3379174059-1930

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy33197768482064
2Los Angeles FCLos Angeles32177858411758
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake331511763471656
4Seattle SoundersSeattle33168950341656
5Houston DynamoHouston33149104538751
6Colorado RapidsColorado33155135957250
7Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd33147125448649
8Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver32138115045547
9Portland TimbersPortland331210116455946
10Austin FCAustin33109143646-1039
11Dallas33108155255-338
12St Louis City33813124959-1037
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3387185064-1431
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3363244075-3521


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