Los Angeles FC v Colorado Rapids: Cherundolo's men to force the issue

Steve Cherundolo says Los Angeles FC will force the issue when they take on the Colorado Rapids in a huge clash of Western Conference contenders on Saturday.

LAFC lead the way in the West with 37 points, though Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy are only behind them due to winning one game fewer.

LAFC's fine run of form continued with a 6-2 rout of the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, with Mateusz Bogusz scoring twice as they raced into a 5-0 lead within just 48 minutes.

Cherundolo expects a different level of test from the Rapids, who are just six points off the summit after an encouraging start to Chris Armas' tenure.

"They're a difficult team to beat, they're playing very well, they're disciplined, compact and also very vertical," Cherundolo said of Colorado.

"Chris has done a great job, and you can see it's a well-coached team. They found a way to be successful and they're sticking to it.

"We believe that every system has its own abilities, it's just a matter of how well we can impose ours on them."

Colorado have won their last three matches after enduring a mini slump, but like his opposite number, Armas is wary of the challenge his team will face on Saturday.  

"It's another busy stretch coming up so in many ways it's right back to basics and we'll just try to get better," Armas said.

"We're always looking at every game as a test of how we can improve. We know they're a good team, they're playing really well, but we're looking forward to it.

"They just scored six but they're also one of the better defensive teams. You can see how explosive that offense is and we'll have to be at our best to get anything."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz 

Bogusz has a goal contribution in eight straight MLS matches, with only Luciano Acosta having a longer such streak this season (nine). 

That is the second-longest such streak in regular-season play by an LAFC player, behind only Carlos Vela (11 straight spanning 2019 and 2020).

Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic 

Mihailovic has six goal contributions in his last two games, with three goals Wednesday against St. Louis City and a goal and two assists against CF Montreal last Saturday. 

His six goal contributions are the most ever over a span of two MLS games by a Rapids player.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

The home team has lost only one of the 11 all-time meetings between LAFC and Colorado (nine wins, one draw). 

LAFC have won all five of their previous home matches against the Rapids by a combined score of 14-1. While the Rapids will certainly put up a fight this week, the hosts enter as favourites.

Cherundolo's team are unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning seven and drawing the other at Austin FC. At home, they have won five in a row.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 62.2%

Colorado Rapids – 17.8%

Draw – 20%