By Kelvin Loyola
In a game that will pit two sides in need of a win, the Colorado Rapids and Santos Laguna will try to kick off their Leagues Cup campaign on the right foot, cautious of the difficult road that lies ahead.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 3er enfrentamiento en su historial
- Santos ganó ambos partidos y supera a los Rapids 6-1 en goles totales en la serie
- Record at Leagues Cup: Colorado (5-4), Santos (1-4)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Colorado Rapids:
- 1 Win, 1 Draw, 3 Losses
- Had a mediocre run in form recently in MLS, sitting ninth in the MLS West. After an electric start, the team fizzled as the season progressed, raising concerns about their depth.
- Santos Laguna:
- 1 Win, 4 Losses
- Santos Laguna have not fared any better, losers of 5 of their last 6 games. Francisco Rodriguez' team also began the Apertura with a big win over Pumas, only to fizzle as the weeks progressed.
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Both teams are in dire need of a new competition to start fresh, and both have a difficult schedule ahead, making this game a must-win for both to aspire to play in the next round of the competition.
- Defense has been a major hurdle for both teams, with Santos having just one shutout in their last 11 competitive matches.
- Santos have fared well in Colorado before, winning both games played in Denver — one in the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2013 and a friendly in 2012.
- Rafael Navarro and Djordje Mihailovic for the Rapids are both tied with 9 goals each this season and are the team’s biggest offensive threats. After that, Chris Armas’ side loses a lot of firepower.
- Argentine Ramiro Sordo has been Santos’ biggest threat up top, with 2 goals in 3 games in the Mexican Apertura.
KEY FACTORS:
- Colorado Rapids
- The Rapids are not a high-scoring team, although prior to their defeat to the Philadelphia Union in league play, they did manage to score six in two games.
- Connor Ronan is still sidelined due to an ankle injury and isn’t expected back until the end of August as he works through his rehabilitation.
- Calvin Harris and Darren Yapi could be game changers — both have 4 goals this season and often help Chris Armas’ team off the bench.
- Santos Laguna
- Cutting down Rafael Navarro and Djordje Mihailovic will be essential for Francisco’s side, as they are the Rapids’ biggest threat.
- For Santos, Pedro Aquino's availability is uncertain as he deals with a dental problem.
- Colombian defender Kevin Balanta was brought in to help a leaky backline and usually plays in the center of defense. He will look to assert himself with his new team.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The Rapids and Santos clash is a game of “don’t mess this up.” Both teams have very difficult schedules ahead, so both need a win in regulation — and badly — to keep their Leagues Cup hopes alive.
Look for a game that will be tight at the back with few scoring chances. The Rapids will want to capitalize on the form of their two best attacking options and be hopeful that Cole Bassett or Josh Atencio can push the ball along to get the Rapids into good scoring chances.
For Santos, if Anthony Lozano is unfit to start, then all eyes will be on Chilean striker Bruno Barticciotto, who has 6 goals in 11 games since arriving in Mexico and could be a key factor if the former Talleres de Córdoba striker can get going.
One mistake, and it could be all she wrote for one of these teams, as things only get more difficult from here.
