Colorado Rapids play host to Western Conference juggernauts LAFC on Saturday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

LAFC sit in fifth place in the Western Conference table but it’s been an inconsistent start to the campaign from Steve Cherundolo’s side. The Black and Gold have picked up wins against the likes of Nashville SC and Seattle Sounders but have yet to really get out of first gear as they aim to get back to winning trophies.

The new look Colorado Rapids have just one victory to their name in 2024 under first-year head coach Chris Armas. The Rapids’ front office splashed some cash to bring in the likes of Zack Steffen, Djordje Mihailovic and Sam Vines, but it hasn’t all gone to plan just yet.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the Rapids vs the Black and Gold.

The Rapids will have to make do without Jasper Loffelsend as the midfielder is still recovering from a hamstring problem. Joining Loffelsend on the treatment are Daniel Chacon and Connor Ronan, who are both dealing with respective knee injuries and are expected to be back in the mix in early May.

Moise Bombito was the only Colorado player to depart the club for the March international break. The 23-year-old was an unused sub in Canada’s 2-0 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago that saw them qualify for this summer’s Copa America for the first time ever.

Colorado Rapids predicted lineup vs LAFC (4-2-3-1): Steffen; Rosenberry, Bombito, Maxso, Vines; Mihailovic, Larraz; Fernandez, Bassett, Lewis; Navarro.

The Black and Gold made an addition to their backline by signing veteran center-back Maxime Chanot earlier this week. The 34-year-old joins the LAFC ranks after spending a little over half a season with AC Ajaccio in the French Ligue 2. Chanot is no stranger to MLS, as he managed 199 appearances from NYCFC from July 2016 – August 2023.

Tomas Angel’s groin injury keeps him out of action this weekend while Lorenzo Dellavalle is a doubt with a knee injury.

Omar Campos and Nathan Ordaz should be back in time from international duty to make Cherundolo’s bench at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

LAFC predicted lineup vs Colorado Rapids (4-3-3): Lloris; Hollingshead, Murillo, Long, Palencia; Tillman, Sanchez, Atuesta; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga.

All signs are pointing to a road win for the Black and Gold, as Cherundolo will hope that their comfortable victory against Nashville will propel them into a run of winning form. Colorado are going through some growing pains under Armas, and LAFC will take full advantage by picking up their third victory of the campaign.

Bouanga, who captured the 2023 Golden Boot, will be at the double for LAFC as they climb into the top four of the Western Conference before the April 6 El Trafico with LA Galaxy.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids 0-2 LAFC