Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides head into the game separated by just one point and one place in the Western Conference standings and this makes for an exciting and thrilling contest.

Match preview

Vancouver Whitecaps were sent crashing back down to earth in the MLS as they were on the receiving end of a 5-2 thrashing away to LA Galaxy when the sides squared off on Sunday.

In a game where Cristian Dajome received his marching orders, goals from Javier Hernandez, Victor Vazquez, Efrain Alvarez and a brace from Samuel Grandsir helped the Galaxy pick up their 10th win of the season.

Prior to that, the Whitecaps ended their five-game winless run in the league on August 6, when they came from behind in the dying stages of the game as Simon Becher and Lucas Cavallini netted to claim a 2-1 victory over Houston Dynamo.

Vanni Sartini's men, who were crowned Canadian Championship winners on July 27 when they beat Toronto FC on penalties in the final, now return to their home turf where they are currently on a run of two consecutive victories in all competitions.

While Vancouver Whitecaps will be aiming to pick up a third straight home win for the first time since June, they are winless in their last three home meetings with Colorado Rapids, losing twice and picking up one draw since a 2-1 victory in September 2017.

Robin Fraser's men continued their fine run of results as they fought back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park last time out.

After falling behind to Cucho Hernandez's opener inside nine minutes, in-form striker Diego Rubio held his nerves from 12 yards out as he converted his 41st-minute penalty to restore parity and force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, the Rapids were on a run of two consecutive victories, seeing off New York Red Bulls 5-4 at the Red Bull Arena on August 3 before returning home four days later to claim another thrilling 4-3 win over Minnesota United.

Colorado Rapids head into the weekend on a run of just one win away from home in 2022, picking up four draws and losing 10 of their 14 games across all competitions since the turn of the year.

Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer form:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Vancouver Whitecaps will be without the trio of Cristian Gutierrez, Luis Martins and Cristian Gutierrez, who are all recuperating from calf injuries.

Brazilian midfielder Caio Alexandre is yet to make an appearance this August after testing positive for COVID-19, while Brian White recently picked up a rib injury.

Fellow midfielder Deiber Caicedo and will play no part in this weekend's encounter through a meniscus injury, while Dajome is suspended after receiving his marching orders at the weekend.

As far as Colorado Rapids are concerned, Fraser will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Jack Price and Oliver Larraz, who are currently battling calf and leg injuries respectively.

Aboubacar Keita and Argentine forward Braian Galvan have both been sidelined through ACL injuries and are out of contention for the visiting side.

With his equaliser against the Crew, Rubio now boasts seven goal involvements in his last fine outings and the in-form forward will certainly be one to keep an eye out for on Wednesday.

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:

Cropper; Brown, Veselinovic, Nerwinski, Gressel; Teibert, Cubas, Raposo; Vite, Gauld, Ongaro

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:

Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Abubakar, Wilson, Esteves; Leiva; Barrios, Acosta, Rubio, Lewis; Zardes

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 Colorado Rapids

Off the back of a humbling result against LA Galaxy, the Whitecaps will be looking to quickly return to winning ways and restore some pride. However, they face a resurgent Colorado Rapids side who are currently firing on all cylinders at the attacking end of the pitch. We predict the Rapids will outscore the home side and edge closer to the playoffs places.

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