Colorado Rapids will be looking to pick up their first victory of any form since July when they welcome New England Revolution to Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening in MLS.
The hosts are rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference with extremely slim hopes of reaching the playoffs, whilst New England have been struggling with off-field issues of late, which may derail their Supporters' Shield push.
Match preview
Following a 2-0 defeat at the home of Real Salt Lake on September 3, Colorado announced the departure of head coach Robin Fraser after over four years in charge at the club - a sacking which had been coming for a while.
The Rapids have lost all three of their MLS matches since returning from the Leagues Cup break, conceding nine goals over a painful trio of contests at Los Angeles FC, Minnesota United and the aforementioned Salt Lake.
Chris Little has been appointed Colorado's interim head coach while the club searches for a permanent successor to Fraser, but there is a feeling that the new manager will only be looking ahead to 2024.
Colorado are firmly rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference standings having collected just 19 points from 26 matches so far, with the 15-point gap to ninth-placed Dallas appearing unbridgeable for a side who have only won three matches in MLS this year.
The Pids have struggled immensely in front of goal this season, scoring just 16 goals in 26 games, with the likes of Cole Bassett and Kevin Cabral leading the club's Golden Boot race with just two strikes to their names.
After being placed on administrative leave since the 5-1 victory over San Luis in the Leagues Cup, former USA national team coach Bruce Arena has resigned as manager at New England Revolution due to "insensitive and inappropriate remarks".
Richie Williams has overseen New England's last six matches as the club's owners worked on finding a suitable replacement for the five-time MLS Cup winner, and it has now been confirmed that Clint Peay will move up from his position as second-team coach to take charge of the first team on an interim basis.
The Revs' attempts to chase down FC Cincinnati in the Supporters' Shield race have slowed down since returning from an unsuccessful Leagues Cup campaign, with Saturday's visitors winning just one of their four matches following that loss to Queretaro on August 8.
New England's playoff berth is essentially secured as they sit second in the Eastern Conference with a 16-point advantage over 10th-placed Chicago Fire, but with Pat Noonan's Orange and Blue nine points ahead, it would take a sensational finish from Peay's men to see them win the Supporters' Shield for the second time in three years.
Having lost Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to Premier League giants Chelsea in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, New England moved to secure the services of Tomas Vaclik - the 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving Huddersfield Town at the conclusion of the 2022-23 term.
Team News
Although not an excuse for such a poor campaign so far, Colorado have struggled immensely with keeping first-team stars out of the medical room this term, with Jack Price and William Yarbrough expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The Rapids also have a pair of suspensions to deal with currently, with the absences of Max Alves and Lalas Abubakar weakening the hosts' midfield and defence respectively.
Jonathan Lewis has suffered with the rest of his teammates during a difficult campaign, and the 26-year-old has netted just one goal in 19 MLS appearances so far - the former New York City FC man is out of action due to a muscle injury.
New England are light on options in the right-back department after the season-ending injury sustained by Brandon Bye against Atlas in the Leagues Cup last month, meaning Matt Polster is set to play out of position on the right side of the visitors' backline.
Colombian youngster Dylan Borrero is another player who is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury suffered in the draw against league leaders Cincinnati back in April.
Peay is expected to name a similar side to the one which was denied a maximum late on at Minnesota last time out, meaning David Romney and Omar Gonzalez will continue as the central-defensive pairing.
Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Ilic; Beitashour, Maxso, Wilson, Gutman; Bassett, Ronan, Priso-Mbongue, Tavares; Rubio, Navarro
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Edwards. Jr; Polster, Gonzalez, Romney, Jones; Harkes, Kaye, N Gil, C Gil, Chancalay; Vrioni
We say: Colorado Rapids 0-2 New England Revolution
Colorado are beginning a new era without Fraser at the helm, but we are not expecting drastic improvements from the Rapids against a New England side who are fighting for the Supporters' Shield.
Peay will be desperate to kickstart his reign as interim coach of the visitors with three points, and a clash with the division's poorest outfit is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
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