Dallas-Colorado preview
The two teams atop the Supporters' Shield Standings face off Saturday night, when first-place FC Dallas visits Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Colo., to take on the second-place Colorado Rapids.
FC Dallas (12-6-5, 40) leads the Rapids by three points in the Western Conference. Colorado (10-2-7, 37), which has played three more games than Dallas, can regain first place with a win.
In order to post a victory, though, the Rapids will need to figure out a way to cool off red-hot Dallas star midfielder Fabian Castillo. Castillo has scored two goals and recorded three assists in his last five starts. He has scored five goals and had five assists in 13 career matches against Colorado.
Michael Barrios leads Dallas with six goals, and Mauro Diaz also is having a big season in Dallas' potent attack.
Dallas and Colorado feature contrasting styles and strengths. Led by Castillo, Dallas owns the most prolific offense in MLS, having scored a league-high 34 goals. Dallas has scored 10 goals in its last five matches. The Rapids have allowed only 13 goals on the season, eight fewer than any other team. Colorado has allowed only four goals at home this season.
Defensive back Axel Sjoberg has been a stalwart for the Rapids, anchoring their defense and not missing a minute of action in league play since mid-April.
The Rapids have not lost in MLS play since April 10, a span of 14 games, but did drop a 2-1 decision to FC Dallas in U.S. Open Cup play on June 30. Colorado rested many of its starters in the Open Cup loss. Dallas took advantage, scoring twice in the second half, with Maximiliano Urruti delivering the game-winner early in stoppage time. Mauro Diaz also tallied for Dallas in the win. Dominique Badji accounted for Colorado's goal.
It's been a turnaround season for the Rapids, who, after finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings last season, have flourished this season. They maintained the top spot in the Western Conference standings for much of this season, before being overtaken by FC Dallas earlier this summer.