Orlando City will be looking to move into the top half of the Eastern Conference when they welcome the Colorado Rapids to Exploria Stadium on Saturday for an East versus West battle in MLS.
The Lions have been solid in recent weeks and come into this match unbeaten in their last five after overcoming the New York Red Bulls 3-0 last week, while in complete contrast, the Rapids' stalemate against the Earthquakes meant that they have failed to win any of their last six in the league and seven in all competitions.
Match preview
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Following their unexpected exit from the US Open Cup at the start of last month, Orlando City seem to have found their stride again as we head past the midway point in the regular MLS season.
They are unbeaten in their last three home games and have taken nine points from their last five matches, which included two valuable draws against higher-ranked opposition Columbus Crew and Atlanta United.
Oscar Pareja talked at length about Orlando's inability to find a full 90-minute performance this season after their draw against Atlanta, and his side responded in a big way at the Red Bull Arena last week, scoring in both halves and keeping their clean sheet intact until the final whistle.
Facundo Torres, who arrived from Penarol for a club-record signing fee last season, made an instant impact with nine goals and 10 assists in his debut season and he is starting to show his potential again this term after bagging a brace against the Red Bulls.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan has notched up four goals this season and has already got the nod from the new national team coach Marcelo Bielsa for the upcoming friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba later this month.
Having played a game less than the sides around them, another positive result here would add to a run that the hosts may look back on as the turning point of the campaign at the end of the season.
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Meanwhile, following their hard-fought 0-0 draw against the Earthquakes last week, the Rapids have now gone seven matches in all competitions without a win and are languishing at the wrong end of the Western Conference.
While that draw may not have been seen as an ideal result, there were certainly several positives that Robin Fraser would have taken from the match, especially the resilience shown by his side after being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
They outperformed San Jose in terms of possession and passes completed despite being a man light and showed defensive solidity by not allowing their opponents to register a single shot on target in the match.
The Rapids' last league win came against the only side with a worse record this season, LA Galaxy, at the start of last month, courtesy of goals by Jonathan Lewis, Kevin Cabral and Lalas Abubakar.
Despite losing their last two away matches, the Rapids have had more success on the road than at DSG Park, picking up nine of their 13 points this season on their travels.
Having slowed the rot with a draw in their last match, Colorado will want to kick on from here but will also know that they face a tough assignment in this one against a Lions side that has built up some positive momentum in recent weeks.
Team News
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Pareja will have to wait for a late fitness update on Gaston Gonzalez, who has missed the last two matches after picking up a hamstring injury against Inter Miami a few weeks ago.
If the left-winger is unable to make it back in time for first-team selection, it would likely pave the way for last week's opening goalscorer Ivan Angulo to continue down the flank for the Lions.
Abdi Salim and Luca Petrasso are the longer-term absentees for the hosts and are only expected to return to full training in July and mid-June, respectively.
Meanwhile, Fraser will have a few holes to fill in the Rapids lineup following Moise Bombito's sending-off against the Red Bulls last week.
The Canadian defender joins Max Alves on the suspension list, with the latter expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future while facing an ongoing investigation regarding his involvement in match-fixing.
Abubakar will be the front-runner to slot into a back three alongside Andreas Maxso and Danny Wilson, releasing Cole Bassett into a five-man midfield.
Longer-term injuries include Aboubacar Keita and Jack Price, while Diego Rubio has not shaken off his ankle injury just yet, which should see Lewis continue to lead the line with Cabral.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Santos, Jansson, Carlos, Smith; Cartagena, Araujo, Torres, Pereyra, Angulo; Kara
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Wilson, Maxso, Abubakar; Rosenberry, Acosta, Ronan, Nicholson, Bassett; Lewis, Cabral
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Colorado Rapids
History shows that this is usually a very close matchup and there is little to suggest that this time will be any different. The hosts have good form coming into the encounter and will be determined to keep their unbeaten streak intact.
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Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
