Field Level Media
27 May 2023, 04:49 GMT+10
The Colorado Rapids will try to snap a three-match MLS losing streak when they host Supporters' Shield leaders FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.
The Rapids (2-6-6, 12 points) have actually lost four in a row in all competitions following a 1-0 home defeat to Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 match on Wednesday night. And it was a second consecutive defeat to their rival following a 3-2 loss at RSL in league play over the weekend.
In MLS matches, Colorado's slide is its longest since an eight-game run back in 2019 that predates current manager Robin Fraser.
"I felt like this was a game for us to right the ship a little bit, find some momentum in the Cup and kind of get back to winning ways even though we aren't in the league, but it wasn't the case tonight," said Colorado fullback Keegan Rosenberry after Wednesday's game. "(The) main sentiment is disappointment, especially in the locker room from just about everybody."
The Rapids have had a range of problems, but the biggest have been injuries and a lack of a reliable scorer. Michael Barrios, Kevin Cabral and Lalas Abubakar are tied for the team lead with two goals, and Abubakar is a defender.
Barrios is questionable for Saturday with a lower-body injury. Last year's scoring leader Diego Rubio (16 goals in 2022) remains out with an upper-body injury.
Cincinnati (9-1-3, 30 points) is still alive in the Open Cup after defeating the New York Red Bulls on penalties following a 1-1 draw on the road on Tuesday night.
The effort expended -- plus the aspect of playing at altitude in a second straight road game -- could lead manager Pat Noonan to make changes to his lineup after what he admitted was a taxing evening.
"I'm beyond proud of this group to come out on top, under the circumstances," Noonan said. "On a night where you could tell the legs weren't there, and we were up against it and just found a way. It was really impressive. And the credit is solely with them."
Among the candidates to be moved to a role off the bench could be Luciano Acosta, who leads the team with five goals and also has two assists. He played 85 minutes in last weekend's 3-2 home win over Columbus, and then all 120 on Tuesday night.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Ohio Standard news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Ohio Standard.
More InformationCULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term shylock is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in...
OMAHA, Nebraska: With Congress considering cuts totaling around US$1 trillion to Medicaid over the next decade, concerns are rising...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government has granted GE Aerospace permission to resume jet engine shipments to China's COMAC, a person...
MILAN, Italy: Italian regulators have flagged four non-EU countries—including Russia—as carrying systemic financial risk for domestic...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump is drawing praise from his core supporters after halting key arms shipments to Ukraine, a...
CULVER CITY, California: TikTok is preparing to roll out a separate version of its app for U.S. users, as efforts to secure a sale...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term shylock is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in...
PARIS, France: A strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions caused significant disruptions during...
OMAHA, Nebraska: With Congress considering cuts totaling around US$1 trillion to Medicaid over the next decade, concerns are rising...
ROME, Italy: Quick thinking by emergency responders helped prevent greater devastation after a gas station explosion in southeastern...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump is drawing praise from his core supporters after halting key arms shipments to Ukraine, a...