Travel-Shy Austin Face Low-Scoring Test Away to Colorado

Colorado Rapids were beaten 1-0 by St. Louis City SC in their last league match after centre-back Loffelsend was sent off early, leaving them chasing the game from the outset. Reduced to 10 men for most of the contest, the Rapids were under pressure throughout and failed to register a single shot on target. Goalkeeper Nicholas Hansen made only two saves before conceding the late winner.

FC Austin suffered a heavy defeat to Houston Dynamo last time out. Although they created slightly more attempts, all five of their shots on target failed to find the net, underlining their poor finishing. They were exposed defensively from the start and collapsed in the first half, conceding three times before eventually slumping to a big loss.

Colorado Rapids will be without injured goalkeeper Zack Steffen, defender Jackson Travis and midfielder Cole Bassett, while defender Loffelsend is suspended. FC Austin have defensive absences too, with Jon Gallagher and Mikkel Desler both injured.

Colorado Rapids have now lost three of their last four league matches, with just one win in that run, and their home form has been inconsistent with limited attacking threat. FC Austin are also struggling after losing 3-0 to Houston Dynamo, and they have only one win from their last five league games. More notably, they have lost their last three away league matches without scoring, so this looks like a game that could stay low-scoring.

In the last five league meetings between the sides, Colorado Rapids have won three and lost two. FC Austin won the previous meeting 2-0, while that match produced 14 corners.