Major League Soccer returns with a fresh set of fixtures as high-flying Los Angeles FC and Colorado Rapids go head to head at the BMO Stadium on Saturday night.
While the Rapids set out in search of a fourth win on the bounce, Steven Cherundolo's men will be looking to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Match preview
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Los Angeles turned in another performance of the highest quality as they stormed to a 6-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes when the sides squared off at the BMO Stadium last Sunday.
Goals from Denis Bouanga, Kei Kamara, Ryan Hollingshead, Tomas Angel and a brace from in-form striker Mateusz Bogusz fired the home sides to their second-biggest win of the season, with Rodrigues and Benjamin Kikanovic getting on the scoresheet for the Quakes.
Los Angeles FC have now gone unbeaten in each of their last 10 matches across all competitions, picking up an improved nine wins and one draw — a run which has seen them reach the quarter-finals of the US Open Cup.
Incidentally, the Black and Gold's last defeat came on May 5, when they were beaten 3-1 by San Jose Earthquakes at the Levi's Stadium courtesy of goals from Rodrigues, Amahl Pellegrino and an own goal from Bouanga.
This blistering run of results has been owing to their ruthlessness at the attacking end of the pitch, where Cherundolo's side have scored 25 goals since May's loss to San Jose, and are the joint third-highest top scorers in MLS this season with 38 goals netted.
Los Angeles have now won 11 of their 19 MLS matches while losing four and claiming four draws to collect 37 points and sit top of the Western Conference standings, level on points with Real Salt Lake and rivals Los Angeles Galaxy.
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Over in Denver, Colorado Rapids maintained their new-found form as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over CF Montreal when the sides squared off at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last weekend.
Dorde Mihailovic, Rafael Navarro and a brace from Calvin Harris fired the Rapids to their ninth league win of the season, with Montreal pulling one back courtesy of a second-half own goal from Lalas Abubakar.
Colorado Rapids have now won three consecutive games, scoring nine goals and keeping two clean sheets, having managed just one point from their previous four games preceding this run.
This upturn in form has seen Chris Armas's men surge into fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 31 points from 20 matches, one point above fifth-placed Minnesota United who have a game in hand.
While Colorado Rapids will look to make it four wins on the trot for the first time since June 2017, they journey to the BMO Stadium where they have lost each of their last five visits, conceding 14 goals and scoring just twice since August 2018.
Team News
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Los Angeles FC will have to cope without experienced striker Olivier Giroud, who is currently away with the France national team at the European Championship.
Cristian Olivera is currently on duty with the Uruguayan national team at the ongoing Copa America and is also ruled out of this weekend's matchup.
On the injury front, Luis Muller and Italian defender Lorenzo Dellavalle remain out of contention for the hosts as they are currently recuperating from hip and knee injuries respectively.
Veteran defender Maxime Chanot has missed each of the last two matches since sustaining a leg injury against Orlando City on June 16 and will play no part in Saturday's tie.
Bogusz scored twice and set up one more in the victory over San Jose Earthquakes last weekend and the Polish forward, who now has 13 goal involvements in 19 league games, will be one to keep an eye on.
As for Colorado Rapids, they will take to the pitch without Jackson Travis and Daniel Chacon, who have been ruled out through ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Twenty-four-year-old defender Moise Bombito is on duty with the Canada national team at the Copa America and is also ruled out of this weekend's game.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Murillo, Long, Hollingshead; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Bogusz, Kamara, Bouanga
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Maxso, Vines; Bassett, Ronan; Harris, Mihailovic, Cabral; Navarro
We say: Los Angeles FC 3-1 Colorado Rapids
Fresh off the back of dismantling San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles FC will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence as they look to continue their fine run of results. While Colorado Rapids have hit their stride of late, they have struggled on their travels, and we fancy the Black and Gold to secure all three points in front of their home supporters.
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