St. Louis City Sc Stl vs Colorado Rapids Col Picks and Predictions June 19th 2024

‘Revamped’ Rapids Ready for Scuffling St. Louis City

The Colorado Rapids are feeling revitalized this season as they prepare to play against St. Louis City on Wednesday in 2024. Following a short period without a win, the Rapids are excited to maintain their momentum as they face a St. Louis team that’s floundering.

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Colorado Rapids’ Transformation

Recent Victory and Offensive Surge

The Rapids( 7-7-4, 25 points) snapped a four- match winless spell( 0-3-1) with a satisfying 2- 0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday. Rafael Navarro, a standout performer, scored his club- leading 10th goal of the season, while Cole Bassett added his sixth, making him the second-highest scorer on the team.

This season, Colorado has already surpassed their win total from 2023, where they managed only five victories. More impressively, they have eclipsed their thing aggregate from last time, netting 31 goals compared to just 26 in the entire 2023 season, which was tied for the fewest in MLS.

Coach Chris Armas’ Impact

Bassett credited first- year trainer Chris Armas for the team’s dramatic improvement.” He is the best manager I have ever had,” Bassett said.” For me, he is given me confidence and freedom within the group to kind of drive the team forward.”

Bassett’s role has evolved under Armas, seeing him become a key playmaker, distributing the ball to offensive talents like Djordje Mihailovic, Rafael Navarro, Omir Fernandez, and Kevin Cabral. This strategic freedom has allowed players to thrive, resulting in a more dynamic and effective attacking unit.

St. Louis City’s Struggles

Current Form and Challenges

St. Louis City (3-5-9, 18 points) has faced a stark contrast to Colorado’s rise, currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference. After an impressive debut season where they won the Western Conference, St. Louis is now on a six-match winless streak (0-4-2). They have failed to score in their last two matches, with a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers followed by a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas.

Injuries and Player Absences

The situation has been further complicated by the season-ending injury to second-leading scorer Celio Pompeu, who underwent surgery for a dislocated left ankle and fibula fracture. Pompeu had three goals this season, while Joao Klauss leads the team with five.

Coaching Dynamics and Upcoming Match

Familiar Foes on the Sidelines

St. Louis coach Bradley Carnell, who previously worked alongside Armas at the New York Red Bulls from 2017-20, acknowledged the significant changes Armas has implemented in Colorado. “He’s really revamped that whole roster and Colorado looks like a different outfit under his tutelage,” Carnell said. “It’s going to be a nice battle on Wednesday.”

Key Players and Tactical Insights

Rapids’ Key Contributors

Rafael Navarro and Cole Bassett have been instrumental in Colorado’s success this season. Navarro’s goal-scoring ability and Bassett’s playmaking skills have driven the team’s offensive resurgence. Additionally, the contributions of players like Djordje Mihailovic, Omir Fernandez, and Kevin Cabral have added depth and versatility to the Rapids’ attack.

St. Louis’ Tactical Adjustments

Without Pompeu, St. Louis will need to rely heavily on Joao Klauss and other offensive players to break their scoring drought. Coach Carnell may need to tweak his tactics to compensate for the loss and find new ways to penetrate Colorado’s defense.

Conclusion

While the Colorado Rapids aim to maintain their impressive improvement with Chris Armas, St. Louis City will be working towards breaking their streak without a win and finding their form from the previous season. With one team experiencing success and the other facing challenges this year, the upcoming match on Wednesday is set to be a captivating showdown of tactics and determination. Supporters can anticipate a fierce battle when the rejuvenated Rapids face off against a resolute yet faltering St. Louis City.

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