Orlando-Colorado preview

The Colorado Rapids look to make up the gap between themselves and first place when they host Orlando City Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids (11-3-9, 42 points) trail FC Dallas by three points, but they have two games in hand, including Saturday's match against Orlando City.

Shkelzen Gashi scored his second goal in the last three matches as the Rapids got points for the 17th time in their last 18 league matches (9-1-8), playing to a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday evening at StubHub Center.

The Rapids have given up 20 goals in their 23 games, the lowest total in MSL. Goalkeepers Matt McMath and Tim Howard, who joined the team after the COPA America Centenario, have helped Colorado be the only club in the league to give up less than a goal per game.

Orlando City (5-6-12, 27 points) is in a tie for sixth in the Eastern Conference with DC United. If the playoffs started today, DC United would claim the final playoff spot by virtue of more wins, but a road win against one of the top teams in the other conference would definitely help.

While Colorado relies on defense, Orlando City depends on offense. The club averages 1.78 goals per match, second best in MLS behind the New England Revolution.

Cyle Larin scored his 12th goal of the season, tied for fifth in MLS, with his fourth goal in the last five matches. Orlando City played to a third consecutive draw on the road, in their 2-2 result with the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon.

The teams have met once, last year in Orlando City's inaugural MLS season. Larin and Kaka scored three minutes apart in the second half as Orlando City took a 2-0 win in Orlando.