Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps at Colorado Rapids

The Vancouver Whitecaps head to Colorado to take on the Rapids Friday evening. We get you ready for the match with all the important information.

Match Details

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City

Friday, May 3^rd – 6:00 PM PST

Watch on TSN 1/3 (Canada), MLS Live on ESPN+ (USA), Altitude (in Colorado)

Listen on TSN 1040

Standings

Colorado Rapids: 0 wins, 2 draws, 7 defeats for 2 points (12^th in the West)

12 goals for, 24 against, -12 goal differential

Home Record: 0-2-2 scoring an average of 1.8 goals and conceding 2.8 goals

Vancouver Whitecaps: 1 win, 3 draws, 5 defeats for 6 points (11^th in the West)

7 goals for, 12 against, -5 goal differential

Away Record: 0-3-1 scoring an average of 0.8 goals and conceding 1.5 goals

Both clubs have began the 2019 campaign very poorly, occupying the final two positions in the Western Conference. While the Whitecaps season has been a sore point for fans, the Rapids fans have had it worse. On Wednesday, Colorado fired their head coach Anthony Hudson. This could be a blessing or a curse for the Caps. We could see Colorado come out strong, which tends to happen after a firing, or they could look disorganized. We will have to see on Friday.

Previous Meetings

Since 2017, the two clubs have faced each other five times. In 2017, Vancouver won twice and drew the third match, while in 2018, both clubs won a match. Interestingly though, Vancouver won in Colorado 2-1, while Colorado won in Vancouver 1-0.

Player Report

Colorado

There will be several familiar faces to Whitecaps fans when the club suits up against the Rapids Friday evening. Despite Colorado’s poor start, Kei Kamara is tied for fifth in league scoring with five goals already. I bet a lot of Whitecaps fans wish he was doing that here. Next in team scoring is Benny Feilhaber, with two, and former Cap Nicolas Mezquida tied with several others at one.

Kamara has played every minute (810) so far this season while Mezquida has started seven, and played in all nine, for 622 minutes. Former WFC 2 defender Deklan Wynne is still playing regularly for Colorado. He has started five matches so far, for 450 minutes.

Vancouver

Meanwhile, Vancouver’s attack is led by offensive powerhouse Doneil Henry. Yes, that is correct. Central defender Henry is the leading scorer for the Caps nine games into the season, with two goals on three shots. Next is several players with one goal each. Godoy and Henry have been locked down in the center of the defense this season starting every match and playing almost every minute (810 for Godoy and 809 for Henry). Hwang has also been a regular, starting eight and playing in all nine for 737 minutes.

Injury Report

Colorado

Kortne Ford (knee surgery) – Out

Kellyn Acosta (hamstring) – Questionable

Vancouver

Michael Baldisimo (left ankle contusion) – Out

Jasser Khmiri (left knee injury) – Out

David Norman Jr (right foot surgery) – Out

Yordy Reyna (leg injury) – Out

Andy Rose (facial fracture) – Likely

Colorado is fairly healthy, with Kellyn Acosta being the only potential absence. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps were dealt a heavy blow in the Philadelphia Union draw as Yordy Reyna went down late and is likely out for an extended period of time. Andy Rose could have returned last match but needed a bit of seasoning before featuring in the 18. I would expect him to be back this match. Meanwhile, Khmiri is inching closer and closer to being an option for the Caps. However, he probably will not feature until the start of June.

Predictions

Final Score

Strangely, the firing of head coach Anthony Hudson makes me more nervous about this match. Prior to hearing that I would have selected Vancouver to, somehow, win, but with the announcement, my apprehension is higher. I feel like the Caps won’t quite get over the hump themselves, with questions in attack, but that the Rapids won’t get their first win either. I see it ending in a 1-1 draw, with a possibility of 2-2.

Starting XI (4-3-3)

Crepeau

Nerwinski, Godoy, Henry, Adnan

Felipe, Erice, Teibert

Venuto, Montero, Hwang