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Major League Soccer

Jul 9, 2023 at 2.30am UK

Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Colorado
2 - 1
Dallas

Maxso (31'), Galvan (62' pen.)
Rosenberry (25'), Gutman (45+1'), Bassett (68'), Acosta (81'), Barrios (83')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Junqua (18')
Ibeagha (74')

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

By Anthony Brown | 06 July 2023

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Colorado Rapids and Dallas, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cellar-dwelling Colorado Rapids seek to leave the bottom of the MLS table when they welcome Dallas to DSG Park on Sunday morning.

Colorado are winless in the competition since the start of May, while Dallas have been beaten in three of their last four league fixtures.

Match preview

Colorado Rapids forward Michael Barrios (12) celebrates with midfielder Sam Nicholson (28) after scoring a goal on May 9, 2023 © Reuters

When Colorado Rapids defeated playoff-chasing LA Galaxy on May 7, Robin Fraser was unaware that was their last victory in any competition in two months.

Since that 3-1 victory, Fraser's men have fallen to seven defeats in nine league fixtures, with two scoreless games making up the only points secured.

Those points have been claimed in games at DSG Park, giving the home side hope heading into Sunday's game.

Rapids have failed to score in six of their winless games, and the last four gameweeks have seen Pids fire blanks in front of goal, making them underdogs for this weekend's game.

A playoff spot is realistically out of reach, with Colorado 13 points behind Houston Dynamo in seventh, but a respectable climax to the campaign could be well-timed for the league's bottom side.

Dallas celebrates after FC Dallas forward Bernard Kamungo (77) scores a goal on July 2, 2023 © Reuters

On the other hand, Dallas are fifth in the Western Conference, but three losses in four matches have seen them slide in the table.

Nico Estevez's men have been beaten in three consecutive away games, scoring one goal in 270 minutes of football on their travels, which gives an off-form Rapids hope of an upset.

Toros are scoring just over a goal a game and conceding at an equal rate, demonstrating an average ability at both ends of the pitch.

Defeat on Sunday could see Dallas lose their place in the top seven, but that would require all three sides below them to all win and Estevez's men to suffer an unexpected defeat.

However, the fact that this weekend's opponents have not won a game at home all season in nine tries gives Estevez's troops hope of avoiding defeat.

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Colorado Rapids midfielder Ralph Priso (97) and midfielder Cole Bassett (23) and forward Darren Yapi (77) celebrate during the first half against Sporting Kansas City at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

Colorado captain Jack Price has missed most of the season due to an Achilles tendon rupture, and the midfielder is not expected back on Sunday.

Ralph Priso was only fit for a place on the bench against Saint Louis SC after going off injured in the meeting with LA Galaxy, and the central midfielder may have to make do with a substitute role this weekend.

Tarik Scott is still out with the ligament injury that has kept him out of Dallas' season, and the wide attacker is not ready to return this weekend.

The away side's captain Paul Arriola is out with a groin injury, while Geovane is doubtful, having gone off injured last weekend against Los Angeles FC.

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Rosenberry, Maxso, Wilson, Beitashour; Basset, Ronan, Leyva, Nicholson; Barrios, Cabral

Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Korca, Ibeagha, Tafari; Junqua, Quignon, Carrillo, Farfan; Obrian, Velasco, Kamungo

SM words green background

We say: Colorado Rapids 0-2 Dallas

Colorado's wretched home results look set to continue against Dallas, who should put their recent defeats behind them with a routine victory on Sunday.

How to watch

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For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.