Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are winless in three games, while Colorado claimed their first victory of the campaign last weekend.

Match preview

Charlotte's second season in the MLS has begun in last than ideal circumstances, with their opening seven games yielding one win, two draws and four defeats.

Since beating Orlando City 2-1 on March 18, Christian Lattanzio's side played out consecutive draws before they were beaten by Real Salt Lake last weekend despite taking the lead.

Karol Swiderski opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but second-half strikes from Real Salt Lake's Pablo Ruiz, Anderson Julio and Jefferson Savarino condemned Charlotte to a 3-1 away defeat.

Montreal Impact are the only side in the MLS that has conceded more goals this season than Charlotte, who have shipped 14 in their seven league games, which will concern Lattanzio.

Colorado could be the perfect opponent for a Charlotte side looking to claim their first clean sheet of the season, as the only previous competitive meeting between the two teams ended in a goalless draw in April last year.

After beginning the campaign with three draws and three defeats in their opening six games, Colorado finally secured their first win of the season at the seventh time asking.

Diego Rubio's 68th-minute strike in last weekend's away meeting with Sporting KC proved to be a decisive goal, securing Colorado a crucial 1-0 victory.

After playing out two draws prior to the narrow win, Robin Fraser's side will have the chance to make it four games without defeat on Saturday.

Having scored just three goals across their seven games this season, Colorado will be targeting an improvement in the final third.

They will be hoping that they can score more than one goal in an MLS game for the first time since beating San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in September.

Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

L

L

W

D

D

L

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:

D

L

L

D

D

W

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without Guzman Corujo and Ashley Westwood due to knee and thigh injuries.

After undergoing back surgery in January, Kristijan Kahlina is yet to feature this season, and he is unlikely to return in time for Saturday's encounter.

Derrick Jones dropped down to the bench for the defeat to Real Salt Lake, but he could return to the Charlotte midfield this weekend.

As for Colorado, they are unable to call upon the injured duo of Moises Bombito and Jack Price, while there are doubts over the availability of Cole Bassett and Braian Galvan.

Steven Beitashour could come into the side to replace Andreas Maxso, who is set to miss out after being stretchered off with a head injury last weekend.

Jonathan Lewis is expected to keep his place in the forward line, with the 25-year-old looking to open his account for the 2023 season.

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Marks; Lindsey, Malanda, Tuiloma, Afful; Bender, Jones, Bronico; Jozwiak, Swiderski, Copetti

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:

Yarbrough; Beitashour, Abubakar, Wilson; Rosenberry, Acosta, Ronan, Nicholson; Rubio, Max; Lewis

We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 Colorado Rapids

Colorado would have been relieved to secure their first win of the season last weekend, and after gaining confidence from their narrow victory against Sporting KC, we think they will go on to claim all three points against a Charlotte side that have lost two of their opening three home games.

How to watch

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