The Seattle Sounders will aim to extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference when they face the Colorado Rapids at DSG Park on Sunday.
Brian Schmetzer's men find themselves two points clear in the West, while they also have a game in hand over second-place Sporting Kansas City.
Counting down the days until Sunday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PSE3GPoAYk— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 28, 2021
Counting down the days until Sunday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PSE3GPoAYk
As for the Rapids, they sit fourth in the standings – nine points behind Seattle – with two games in hand over the Sounders.
Colorado head into Sunday’s clash with a record of 5-1-3 and currently sit three points inside the playoff places.
Much of the Rapids’ recent success is down to their impressive form at DSG Park, where they have won each of their last three Major League Soccer matches.
Robin Fraser’s men have also lost just one of their last eight home games in MLS and have scored in each of their previous 11.
Trends also show that each of Colorado’s previous six home matches in Major League Soccer have produced over 2.5 goals.
Despite having played three games less than some teams in the West, the Rapids are currently the fourth-highest scorers in the conference.
On the flip side, the Sounders remain the only team in the entire league that have yet to taste defeat this season.
Seattle have picked up seven wins and four draws from their opening 11 matches in 2021, putting them in pole position to clinch the Supporters’ Shield.
Not only are Schmetzer’s side the second-highest scorers in the West, but they also boast the best defensive record in the division.
The Sounders have netted 20 goals this year, averaging 1.8 goals per game. They have also conceded on just seven occasions, keeping five clean sheets along the way.
Raul Ruidiaz has bagged nine goals already this season and has found the back of the next in each of his past three appearances.
Head-to-head: Seattle have won five of their previous seven meetings with Colorado, although the Rapids have won each of the previous two encounters.
Each of the last seven meetings between the teams have produced over 1.5 goals, while five of the last seven have dished up over 2.5 goals.
Team news: Colorado will be without injured duo Steven Beitashour and Younes Namil for Sunday’s showdown.
As for Seattle, Jordan Morris, Jordy Delem, Stefan Frei and Nicolas Lodeiro are all currently sidelined through injury.
Although the Rapids have made a promising start to the 2021 campaign, the unbeaten Sounders should extend their hot streak this weekend.
Forebet predicts that Seattle will score over 2.5 goals on their way to seeing off Colorado on Sunday.