Minnesota United FC vs Colorado Rapids
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 33
TCF Bank Stadium — Minneapolis
October 13 - 12:00 PM MT
A pair of Western Conference foes looking to bounce back from lopsided defeats and end the 2018 season on a positive note meet at TCF Bank Stadium Saturday afternoon when Minnesota United FC host the Colorado Rapids.
The Loons, ninth in the Western Conference with 36 points, are coming off a 5-1 loss at the Philadelphia Union, while the Rapids, 11th with 24 points, fell at home to LAFC, 3-0, their seventh straight defeat.
This is the second meeting this season, with the Rapids winning 3-2 at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on June 23. Edgar Castillo canceled out Miguel Ibarra’s first-half goal before Christian Ramirez gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute. Joe Mason leveled nine minutes later and Tommy Smith scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
- Gameday Guide: Minnesota United FC vs Colorado Rapids
- Know the Opponent: An in-depth look at Minnesota United FC
- Hudson previews matchup against Minnesota
- Barnes on role in attack, generating offense against Loons
- Blomberg, Rapids eager for second meeting with MNUFC
- Radio: Hudson on Howard's leadership, Minnesota game
Minnesota United
Minnesota (11-17-3) couldn’t build off impressive wins over the Portland Timbers and NYCFC, losing to the Union, 5-1, at Talen Energy Stadium, a defeat that eliminated them from postseason contention.
The hosts raced in front 3-0 inside of the opening 25 minutes on goals by Cory Burke, Alejandro Bedoya and Fafa Picault, who added his second before halftime to extend the lead to 4-0. Darwin Quintero breathed a bit of life into the Loons in the 54th minute, but Ilsinho put the finishing touches on a decisive win in the 79th minute.
“It’s pretty hard for me to try and explain how bad we were in the first half in probably all aspects of the game,” Adrian Heath said. “It was like men against boys at times. Second half, we got a little bit of a response out of the group and showed a little bit more of what we like. But as I said, too little, too late, not good enough.”
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: M - Miguel Ibarra, M - Alexi Gomez
- International duty: D - Francisco Calvo
- Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), M - Collin Martin (right ankle injury); QUESTIONABLE: F - Romario Ibarra (hamstring injury), F - Abu Danladi (right leg injury)
Colorado Rapids
The struggles for Colorado (6-19-6) continued on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to LAFC, which became the fifth expansion team to clinch a playoff berth Saturday in Commerce City.
Walker Zimmerman put the visitors in front on 15 minutes off a corner kick and Adama Diomande added a brace, scoring three minutes before and three minutes after halftime. The Rapids have been outscored 22-1 in their seven-game losing streak.
“I’m sure people are fed up with me saying this, but there’s obviously no excuses coming from our side, we’re very disappointed, we are absolutely gutted with the results,” Anthony Hudson said. “But one thing I can’t fault, and it was the same on Saturday, is the lads never ever give up. They are giving everything.”
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: M - Johan Blomberg, F - Jack McBean, M - Jack Price, D - Tommy Smith
- International duty: M - Kellyn Acosta
- Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Nicholson (back injury), F - Jack McBean (foot/toe injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Kortne Ford (knee injury)
All-Time Series
- Overall: Minnesota United 1 win, 5 goals … Colorado Rapids 1 win, 5 goals … 1 draw
- At Minnesota: Minnesota Union 1 win, 1 goal … Rapids 0 wins, 0 goals … 0 draws
- Last meeting at Minnesota: Minnesota United 1, Colorado Rapids 0 (April 23, 2017)
Officials
Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
Assistant Referees: Corey Parker, Craig Lowry
4th Official: Chico Grajeda
VAR: Sorin Stoica
