Atlanta United (16-5-6), favorites to win the MLS Cup, will play at Colorado (6-15-6), which is on the verge of being eliminated from playoff consideration, on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Commerce City, Colo.
The game will be the first in eight days for the Five Stripes. The trip will continue with a game at San Jose, which is also struggling, before the team hosts surging Real Salt Lake at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 22.
Marco Cummings (@Marco_Cummings) covers the Colorado Rapids for Pro Soccer USA. He answered a few questions about the game. Cummings has covered the Colorado Rapids and Major League Soccer since 2013. His work has also appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine, The Denver Post and Deseret News, among other news outlets.
Q: What is the matchup to watch and how do you think it will go?
A: The matchup to watch will be Atlanta’s high-powered offense, led by MLS scoring leader Josef Martinez, against a Colorado defense that has left much to be desired this season. Colorado is currently on a three-game losing skid in which they’ve been outscored 10-0 by their opponents. While altitude is a clear advantage in Colorado, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tata Martino and company look to press the game and look for goals early, which seems to be the formula in managing altitude and beating the Rapids at home this season.
Q: What’s been the single biggest issue for Colorado this season, and how do you think it will affect Saturday’s game?
A: As with any bottom of the table team that struggles to string together results like Colorado has this season, it’s hard to pin down a host of issues to one singular problem. In short, the Rapids have been a bad team in 2018.
They haven’t been great defensively (giving up 50 goals in 27 matches, a rate of 1.85 goals per game). Centerbacks Tommy Smith and Danny Wilson along with goalkeeper Tim Howard account for nearly $3.7 million in payroll but haven’t lived up to expectations this season.
At the same time, Colorado has struggled at the other end of the pitch, with just 31 goals scored. Compounding the Rapids’ issues in the attacking third is the fact that strikers Dominique Badji (seven goals) and Joe Mason (three goals), who accounted for nearly a third of the team’s offensive production, were jettisoned in the summer transfer window to FC Dallas and Wolverhampton, respectively.
Colorado received a solid piece in Kellyn Acosta in exchange for Badji; the 23-year-old has racked up two goals and two assists in his six appearances for the Rapids. But the team has struggled in finding a solid strike-pair atop the 4-4-2 Hudson has recently rolled out, as seen in the recent string of shutouts in the Rapids’ results.
Barring an upset, Colorado should be an easy opportunity for Atlanta to pick up points in the race for the Supporter’s Shield as well as the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Q: Edgar Castillo seems like a bright spot for the team this season, what has been the key for him?
A: Castillo has been playing on a one-year loan deal from Liga MX side Monterrey, a deal which has been financially friendly to Colorado but has motivated him to play to prove his worth, whether it be on a permanent move to Colorado, another club, or to gain more playing opportunities if he returns to Mexico.
Castillo was underutilized during his most recent stint in Mexico, so the move to the Rapids offered him an opportunity to get regular minutes while moving his family to the U.S. Additionally, while a longshot, Castillo would like to receive more run with the U.S. Men’s National Team before he retires. Regular playing time and playing stateside both work in his favor to achieving this goal.
This season, Castillo has been instrumental to Colorado's attack with three goals and five assists. While he's shown to be mortal at times defensively, like on Portland's opening goal last weekend, Castillo's offensive contributions and dribbling ability in possession are vital to a Colorado team which is in desperate need of those attributes.
Q: For Atlanta United fans traveling to the game, what are the must-see places to go?
A: A visit to Colorado without experiencing the Rocky Mountains would be like visiting Atlanta and refusing a slice of peach pie. There are several ways to experience Colorado's elevation, but one of the easiest ways would be a short visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It's one of the world's premier concert venues (STS9 and O.A.R. will be playing this weekend) but if those aren't your cup of tea, the park is also open during the day for outdoor activities and breathtaking views.
Just down the road from Red Rocks are Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave, which are also just a short drive from the Denver Metro Area.
First-time visitors to Colorado should prepare for the altitude with sunscreen and bottled water as well as a light jacket (weather is known to change rapidly, especially in the afternoons).
For those that prefer to stay in the city, Denver's RiNo neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, featuring several popular bars and restaurants. Closer to Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Stapleton's Northfield Shops and Stanley Marketplace offer food, beverage, and entertainment options.
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