Opposition scouting report: Colorado Rapids

The Seattle Sounders will visit the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. To help us get a better understanding of what awaits them, we asked Matt Pollard of Burgundy Wave to give us a bit of a scouting report.

Injury updates

The goalkeeper situation looks a little dicey, with backup goalkeeper Adam Beaudry questionable with an ankle injury and starter Zack Steffen suspended after picking up two yellow cards at the end of the previous match. If Beaudry cannot go, expect recently promoted Rapids 2 goalkeeper Nico Hansen to get the start. Steffen has been fantastic to start the year. It'll be a big loss to not have him in goal given the significance of this game. Otherwise, the Rapids main squad is healthy. Ali Fadal has a knee injury but has yet to appear for the first team. Reggie Cannon has been dealing with a groin injury but has played through it.

Team form

Inconsistent. The Rapids have alternated between great performances and wins against good teams at home and incomplete performances with mixed goals on the road. Their current trend suggests a bounce back performance Saturday against Seattle. Expect Colorado to be willing to be on the ball and get on top of Seattle. When they don’t have the ball, they will be pressing monsters. Rapids head coach Chris Armas has found something with Darren Yapi starting up top and just chasing the ball and Josh Atencio covering space at the back. When this team is on, they can beat anyone in MLS.

Key players

Djordje Mihailovic and Rafael Navarro. Mihailovic is facilitating the offense and finding joy. He’s got six goals and three assists across all competitions. He’s providing service on set pieces, scoring penalties, getting teammates involved, all while setting the tone in the press. He’s even worn the captain’s armband the last two first halves with Keegan Rosenberry on the bench. This is the best version of Djordje. His blossoming has been a joy. Navarro does all the dirty work you’d want from a center forward. He’s physical and a one-man wrecking crew on the press. He works hard and doesn’t mind being on an island against two centerbacks. When he gets service like he has the last two games, he’s the complete package. He has five goals in nine games without taking penalties, which is obviously very good.

One thing opposing fans should know

Armas is taking calculated risks tactically and it’s working. The 4-2-2-2 in attack/4-4-2 has been a breath of fresh air with Darren Yapi working hard up top. Earlier in the season it was a three-man midfield with a proper triple pivot of Cole Basett, Oli Larraz, and Josh Atencio. I think we’ll see the 4-2-2-2/4-4-2 on Saturday, but I would not be surprised if we see something that has not been in a game before that works and catches Seattle off guard. Also, Atencio is really happy in Colorado so far.

Projected lineup

4-2-2-2: Nico Hansen; Keegan Rosenberry, Chido Awaziem, Andreas Maxsø, Sam Vines; Josh Atencio, Oli Larraz; Cole Bassett, Djordje Mihailović; Darren Yapi, Rafael Navarro