Match Pack: Colorado Rapids vs Austin FC

In anticipation of this MLS showdown, both Colorado Rapids and Austin FC are entering with just 3 points from their last 5 games, averaging 0.6 points per match. Colorado managed to score in 3 of those games, with a total of 5 goals, while Austin scored in all 5, with 8 goals total.

Both teams have shown promising signs of offensive action, with the recent games for both Colorado and Austin ending with at least 2 goals being scored. However, Colorado has hit a rough patch, with no goals in 2 of their last 5 games and has failed to score in 55% of matches this season. Austin, on the other hand, is currently on a 2-match unbeaten away game run and hasn’t suffered defeat in their last 2 games.

Previously, Colorado and Austin have faced off 7 times. Out of these encounters, Colorado has won 3 matches, Austin has secured 2 victories, and 2 games ended in a draw. On 16th June 2024, they meet again to add another chapter to their rivalry following a scoreline of 1-3 in favor of Austin in their last meeting.

An average of 2.57 goals were scored in previous encounters between these two teams, with both teams scoring (BTTS) happening 57% of the time. This season, BTTS for Colorado and Austin was seen in 41% and 67% of their matches, respectively.

So far, in their respective home and away matches, Colorado has averaged 1.57 points per game and Austin has averaged 0.75. Seems like we’re in for a fascinating encounter, with at least a couple of goals scored and although Austin has a slight edge offensively, we could see a closely-fought contest.

Insights

• Both teams, Colorado Rapids and Austin FC are having a tough run, averaging only 0.6 points per match over the last five games.
• In their last five games, BTTS (Both Teams to Score) has happened in 3 games for Colorado Rapids and five games for Austin FC, suggesting a possibility for both teams to score in this match.
• Both teams have scored multiple goals in recent matches. Colorado Rapids has scored five in their last five matches while Austin has netted eight, a possible indicator of a high-scoring match.
• Colorado Rapids’ scoring has been inconsistent this season with the team failing to score in 55% of their games.
• Austin FC appears to be comfortable playing on the road, being unbeaten in their last two away matches.
• Despite their streak of not losing in the last two matches, Austin FC has struggled to secure a win with three draws and two losses in their previous five games.
• Considering both team’s scoring records this season, a high-scoring match might be on the cards, with both Colorado Rapids and Austin FC seeing 2 or more goals were scored in their last series of games.
• The last meeting between the two teams ended in favor of Austin with a 3-1 score.
• Upon examining their history, out of seven previous meetings, Colorado Rapids has won three times, Austin twice, with two matches ending in a draw.
• On home turf, Colorado Rapids has an average form, while Austin’s away performance has been lacking with an average of 0.75 points per away game.
• The average number of goals scored in previous encounters is 2.57, which aligns with the recent scoring trends of both teams.
• Historically, BTTS happens 57% of the time when these teams meet, this combined with both team’s BTTS in recent games could indicate the likelihood of both teams scoring.
• So far, in this MLS season, Colorado Rapids have averaged 1.57 points per home game while Austin has averaged 0.75 points per away game; potentially hinting at a home advantage for Colorado Rapids.

Match Forecast

• Austin FC will clearly have the upper hand in the beginning due to their strong set pieces, their ability to attack through the wings and create chances with through balls.
• Colorado Rapids will try to safeguard the lead once acquired, but their weak defense against long shots and through ball attacks might give Austin FC the chance to score.
• Colorado’s weakness in finishing their scoring chances will further give Austin FC the upper hand.
• Austin FC’s weak defense against attacks down the wings will be something Colorado Rapids can exploit, since attacking down the left is one of Colorado’s strengths.
• Austin’s weak defense against set pieces could let Colorado gain from corner kicks or free kicks despite their overall weak finishing skills.
• Both teams being inclined to play in their own half, we can expect a distant standoff with swift transitions.
• Colorado will likely employ long balls to break through Austin FC’s defense, aiming to utilize their weak defense against counter attacks.
• Austin FC may have to alter their typical non-aggressive style to counter Colorado’s aggressive play.
• Colorado may rotate their first eleven to keep the pressure on Austin and maximize on their weak defending.
• The game will probably see a significant number of crosses due to Austin FC’s play style and Colorado’s propensity to attack down the left.

Match Facts

• Over the course of their previous 6 encounters, Colorado Rapids have emerged as victors twice, the same number of matches that have ended in a draw and wins for Austin FC.
• The last season the teams clashed, the results were 2-3 favouring Austin FC in Colorado’s home ground and a draw at Austin’s home ground.
• Interesting fact, 29% of Colorado Rapids’ goals are scored in the final quarter of an hour of the game.
• Austin FC also tends to score 25% of their goals in the 76-90th minutes.
• Austin FC are on a bit of a dry spell, having not secured a win in their last 9 matches, including their last 5 matches on the road.
• Colorado Rapids have left the scoresheet blank in almost half of their home games this MLS season, failing to net a goal in 7 of their 15 matches.
• Similarly, Austin FC have not scored in 4 of their 15 away matches this MLS season.
• The home record of Colorado Rapids in this season stands at 2 wins, 7 losses, and 5 draws.
• Among the players, Cole Bassett of Colorado Rapids and Sebastian Driussi of Austin FC shine as the top scorers with 4 and 10 goals respectively.
• Kevin Cabral of Colorado Rapids has the distinction of receiving the most yellow cards (8), while Daniel Pereira of Austin FC follows closely with 7 cards.
• Both teams have been having problems in defence, with Colorado Rapids conceding a goal in their last 9 matches and Austin FC in their last 13 matches.
• Colorado Rapids prevails in the first half of their matches 4% of the time, while Austin FC dominates 21% of the first halves.
• Colorado Rapids’ performance in the last 5 matches exceeds that of Austin FC.
• Out of the last 5 games Colorado Rapids played against Austin FC in all match types, they lost only once.
• In the last 5 head-to-head encounters in MLS, Colorado Rapids registered 2 wins, Austin FC managed one, with two games ending in draws.
• On an average, Colorado Rapids net 1.6 goals against Austin FC, who score an average of a single goal.
• Average goal count in encounters between these two teams remains at 2.6, with an average of 1.4 goals in the first half.
• Both teams did not taste victory in their last MLS match.
• At their home ground, Colorado Rapids average 0.89 goals while Austin FC has a slightly higher average of 1.24 whilst playing away.
• Austin FC have managed to be on the scoring side consecutively for their last five clashes.
• An interesting statistic reveals that Austin FC typically scores 23% of their goals during the time frame from the 31st to the 45th minute.