MLS Match Preview: Colorado Rapids (9-11-6) vs. Atlanta United FC (4-11-10)

Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Kickoff: 9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT
Broadcast: MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+)

Match Context

Two struggling sides meet in a cross-conference clash with playoff implications. The Colorado Rapids sit 10th in the West with 33 points, while Atlanta United FC languishes in 13th in the East with just 22 points. Both clubs have just one win in their last five matches, but Colorado enters with momentum after a 2–1 win over Minnesota. Atlanta is winless in five and has failed to cover the spread in four of those outings. Their road form has been poor, while Colorado has shown flashes of resilience at home under manager Chris Armas’s high-pressing system.

Key Players to Watch

Colorado Rapids

Rafael Navarro – 9 goals, 2 assists; leads the team in shots and scoring chances

Calvin Harris & Darren Yapi – Combined 10 goals; provide pace and width

Zack Steffen – 69 saves, 4 clean sheets; key to organizing the back line

Atlanta United FC

Emmanuel Latte Lath – 7 goals; lone consistent scoring threat

Alexey Miranchuk & Miguel Almirón – 6 assists each; creative midfield duo

Brad Guzan – 84 saves but only 2 clean sheets in 24 starts

Team Form & Stats

Team	Record	Goals For	Goals Against	Last 5 Matches
Colorado Rapids	9-11-6	33	40	W-L-D-L-W
Atlanta United FC	4-11-10	29	45	D-L-D-L-D

Colorado has scored 6 goals in their last 3 home matches

Atlanta has conceded 10 goals in their last 5 games

Both teams average over 1.2 goals conceded per match

Tactical Breakdown

Colorado Rapids rely on vertical transitions and wide overloads, with Navarro as the focal point.

Atlanta United plays a possession-based style under Ronny Deila but struggles to convert chances and defend in transition.

Expect Colorado to press early and target Atlanta’s shaky back line, while Atlanta will look to Miranchuk and Almirón to unlock space centrally.