New York City FC Match Preview and Prediction: Colorado Rapids

After suffering their first loss since July 30, New York City FC looks to rebound Saturday night against the cellar-dwelling Colorado Rapids.

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – Commerce City, Colorado

When: Saturday, 9/16 at 9:00 pm ET

How to Watch: MLS Live

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – MARCH 06: Mikey Lopez (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Match Overview:

New York City FC finally saw their club-record five-match unbeaten run end last week when the Portland Timbers stormed into Yankee Stadium and stole all three points from the undermanned Boys in Blue.

Even without David Villa in the starting XI and having to fly across the country for their next match, NYCFC probably has their most favorable matchup of the season Saturday night and can easily get back to their winning ways against one of the league’s worst clubs.

To say the Colorado Rapids are having a season to forget would be an understatement. The Rapids currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference table and have lost a league-high 16 matches this season. In addition, the Rapids are almost incapable of scoring this season, averaging .92 goals per match in 27 matches played.

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 06: Victor Bernardez (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Three Keys to the Match:

Make Dominique Badji a Non-Factor: Dominique Badji leads the Rapids with seven goals this season and probably poses the biggest threat to NYCFC. If Badji is made a non-factor, Colorado won’t have another scoring threat to turn to during the match and the Cityzens will most likely take all three points on the road.
Keep an Eye on Marlon Hairston: Marlon Hairston, who leads the Rapids in assists this season, has exceptional pace on the wing and is capable of beating defenders to the end line to make dangerous crosses into the box. The Pigeons have to be disciplined when defending Hairston to nullify the speed threat that the winger presents.
Keep Testing Tim Howard: Even at 38, Tim Howard is arguably the best American goalkeeper in the world and his competition is not even close. However, the Colorado netminder is having a down year domestically and has conceded 30 goals in 19 starts this season. Some of the fault falls on the defense, but Howard has struggled against shots from distance this season and has been a victim of unlucky rebound goals. As long as the Boys in Blue pepper his net, at least one shot is bound to get past Howard.

Player to Watch: Sean Okoli

With David Villa slated to be out for yet another match, all eyes will be on Sean Okoli, the man slated to take Villa’s place in the starting XI.

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Okoli made his first start in Villa’s stead this season last week in the club’s 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City and had an inconsistent performance. He did have a couple of chances, including a glancing flick that banged off the post and out, but he was ultimately a non-factor.

Despite Okoli’s poor showing against Sporting KC, Patrick Vieira seems to have faith that the former USL MVP can take on Villa’s goal-scoring mantle until the Spanish international finally returns. Hopefully, Vieira’s faith isn’t misplaced.

Official Overview: Chris Penso

The last time NYCFC dealt with Chris Penso was their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Toronto FC and he hasn’t changed his tune much from the looks of things. Penso is still one of the league’s most stringent officials this season, averaging 16 fouls and four yellow cards per match in the 16 matches he’s refereed.

There’s a possibility that he’ll let both teams establish some sort of flow like the last time NYCFC dealt with him, but it’s unlikely considering how Colorado plays their game. Expect plenty of stoppages in play, especially if things get a little physical.

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Prediction: Colorado Rapids 1 – New York City FC 1

New York City FC has struggled to find the back of the net in David Villa’s absence and that trend is bound to continue Saturday night if nobody steps up. The Boys in Blue will find a way to put one in the back of the net, but the defense is bound to let in a goal at some point and NYCFC will be unable to get the much-needed win to keep what’s left of their Supporter’s Shield hopes alive.

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