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Colorado-New York City preview

For the Colorado Rapids and the New York City FB, the turnaround from Thursday night's All-Star Game to the restart of the MLS season is a quick one.

The teams meet Saturday in Yankee Stadium in a match with plenty at stake for each. Colorado (10-2-8) is three points in back of MLS overall leader Dallas for first place in the Western Conference, while NYCFB (9-7-6) owns first place in the Eastern Conference.

It's the first and only meeting of the teams this year and just the second all-time. They played to a scoreless draw last March just outside of Denver.

It will be a striking contrast of styles to boot. NYCFB is known for its offense, having scored 35 goals on the season, and the Rapids are a defensive-minded club as they have conceded only 14 goals.

However, Colorado's task might be easier as David Villa, who leads NYCFB with 13 goals, is one of its three players suspended for card accumulation. Frank Lampard has potted five and Thomas McNamara owns four.

The Rapids don't have anyone as prolific as Villa or even Lampard, but do possess balance. Kevin Doyle's four markers lead the team, but six others have at least two goals, with Jermaine Jones and Luis Solignac adding three each.

NYCFB will be shorthanded for the match -- on the pitch and the bench. Head coach Patrick Vieira is suspended for the day, while R.J. Allen and Federico Bravo join Villa on the sidelines due to caution accumulation. Ethan White is also on the suspended list.

Colorado's Axel Sjoberg and Shkelzen Gashi will draw automatic suspensions with their next yellow card.

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