Tonight Minnesota United hosts the Colorado Rapids for the first of two meetings in 2026 and the Rapids have had a tough season to say the least. We reached out to our friends at the Burgundy Wave and spoke with Matt Pollard for a deeper look at the Rapids ahead of tonight's clash.
Ashle Paige: The Rapids missed the playoffs last season, has there been any big changes or acquisitions to try and get back into the playoffs?
Matt Pollard: I wouldn't say the Rapids rebuilt over the winter but they definitely pivoted. Even with the recent slump, Matt Wells has been a great hire for the club. He's got big tactical ideas about player development, playing out of the back, and pressing. A number of young players have taken strides under him. Darren Yapi had been fantastic as a target winger. Jackson Travis and and Wayne Frederick are getting more minutes.
Elsewhere, Hamzat Ojediran, who is suspended for this game, has been an excellent holding midfielder. Lucas Herrington is a diamond in the rough center back and could go to the World Cup with Australia. This team is better coached, more talented, and as we found out this week, cheaper than last year. They should expect to make the playoffs.
AP: Colorado is winless in the last five league matches, do you feel any of those matches should have been wins?
MP: Call me crazy, but they should have won the Inter Miami game. Miami's first two goals came off of avoidable mistakes. They had most of the ball and created big chances. If Messi isn't Messi, they get a draw at least.
Bigger pictures, this stretch has been worrying for Rapids fans. Matt Wells hasn't rotated as much, wanting to win the Open Cup. Some injuries are starting to pile up. They had such a good start to the season. The timing isn't great given the four games remaining, all competitions before the break for the World Cup. Saturday was supposed to be a "get right game." A soft goal and Rob Holding's red card spoiled that.
AP: Are there any key missing players for Colorado?
MP: There are several. Hamzat Ojediran is suspended for yellow card accumulation. He's been fantastic as a holding mid. This will be the first game, MLS or Open Cup, that he will not start. Would guess Connor Ronan takes his place. This is the biggest question mark and concern for me going into this game.
Elsewhere, Holding is suspended. He's been a veteran leader at center back. Noah Cobb should start next to Herrington. He'll be ok, more athletic, less impressive. Zack Steffen has a shoulder injury, so it will be Nico Hansen in goal. He's been solid.
That said, Colorado were banged up for the games against Houston and St. Louis. They're in a much better position now, outside of the two suspensions.
AP: Which Rapids player would you say Minnesota fans should look out for?
MP: Darren Yapi. He just signed an extension that's made him a U22 player. He scored both goals in this fixture last year. Expect him to play off of Rafa Navarro. He'll run the channels, be physical, and take players on. Really excited to see what he does against the Loons defense.
AP: Score prediction for Minnesota vs Colorado?
MP: So much of this depends on how Wells lines the team up. He could rotate a lot given who's unavailable and prioritize the RSL game on Saturday. If he does what I think, 1-1 draw. But the thought of James subbing on for 30 minutes with the game close is scary.
