Colorado Rapids v Toronto FC: Armas calls on hosts to heed ´wakeup call´

Chris Armas says the Colorado Rapids’ comprehensive defeat to Sporting Kansas City must serve as a wakeup call as they prepare to resume their playoff push against Toronto FC.

Colorado won their first two games upon returning to MLS play after the Leagues Cup break, but they were brought crashing back to earth with a 4-1 defeat in Kansas City in midweek.

Armas’ men remain in a positive position, sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings with a game in hand on some of the teams around them, but he knows they need to ensure Wednesday’s performance was a one-off.

“It’s probably a wakeup call to all of us, what these games are going to look like,” Armas said. “Everyone’s fighting for something.

“Everyone’s got something to play for and in our league, everyone is capable. A positive is we’re on 47 points, we’ve earned every one of those points.

“We’re in a good spot for the playoffs, we’ve put ourselves probably a win or two away from the playoffs.

“We’re going to get home and regroup quickly, then get right back where we’ve been all year.”

Toronto, meanwhile, are occupying a wild-card spot in the East after losing 2-0 to the Columbus Crew in their last match.

“We should have taken something out of the first half, that’s clear, then in the second half we had to capitalise on the moments we had,” coach John Herdman said afterwards.

“For us, the lads were in the fight, there was a good spirit and they were tactically disciplined and committed.

“We need that from every single player to get into the playoffs, we need every player to play above their level.”

Earn the start
Score first @MLS goal

It was a big night for Homegrown @Edwardsmichael8 in KC.#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/NoRJouByFv

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) September 19, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic

Mihailovic has 22 goal involvements in MLS play this season (10 goals, 12 assists), the most of any Colorado player. He has not scored in any of their last four regular-season home games, though, so he will be desperate to get back among the goals here.

Toronto FC – Deandre Kerr

Kerr has scored two of Toronto’s last three goals in MLS play. He has five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in just 10 league starts this year.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

Toronto have earned just 15 points from 45 available on their travels in MLS play this season, winning four, drawing three and losing eight.

They face a daunting task at Dicks’ Sporting Goods Park, where Colorado have a record of nine wins, three draws and two defeats in regular-season action this season.

The Rapids are also unbeaten in their last nine league games on their own turf, winning seven and drawing two, and they are favoured to maintain that form here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids- 57.8%

Toronto FC – 20.3%

Draw – 21.9%