The Colorado Rapids begin a three-game MLS home stand on Thursday against Sporting Kansas City at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The Rapids are looking to bounce back after a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC, which halted their three-match domestic winning streak. Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City ended their three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Austin FC.

On Thursday, as Americans celebrate Independence Day, the Rapids aim to extend their unbeaten run at home to five matches.

In his first year as manager, Chris Armas has revitalized the Rapids into a dynamic attacking unit, scoring 38 goals in 21 league fixtures this year, a dozen more than last season. The Rapids are seventh in the league for goals per game (1.81) and third for expected goals per match (1.69).

Set pieces have been a strong point for Colorado, with 10 goals scored from dead-ball situations, the second-most in MLS. They have also shown resilience, winning seven matches this season when leading at halftime.

The Rapids have won five domestic home fixtures in 2024, two more than in the previous regular season.

Sporting Kansas City broke a long winless streak last weekend, securing only their second win in 15 league games. After 21 matches, KC sits second from bottom in the Western Conference with 17 points, 11 points shy of the playoff line.

Manager Peter Vermes is on the verge of his 200th regular season victory as head coach, seeking only their second away win this year. Defensively, Kansas City has struggled, conceding 44 goals, the second-most in the league. However, they did not allow a single shot on target last weekend.

Vermes has frequently rotated his squad, using 15 different starting lineups in the last 15 games. SKC has not won at Dick's Sporting Goods Park since March 2014.

The Rapids will be without Jackson Travis (stress fracture), Daniel Chacon (knee injury), and Kevin Cabral (suspended). Moise Bombito is on international duty for Canada at the Copa America, and Lamine Diack has returned to Nantes. Keegan Rosenberry, the Rapids captain, was selected for the MLS All-Star game.

For Sporting KC, Robert Castellanos (ankle), Remi Walter (knee), Daniel Salloi (ankle), and Logan Ndenbe (ACL) are unavailable. Felipe Hernandez is on administrative leave for violating the league's gambling policies. Tim Leibold and Stephen Afrifa scored for SKC last weekend, with Tim Melia earning his second MLS clean sheet of the season.

Given Kansas City's defensive struggles, especially on the road, I predict a 2-1 victory for the Colorado Rapids, who are expected to dominate the match with their energy and creativity.

科罗拉多急流队将于周四在迪克体育用品公园主场迎战堪萨斯城体育队。

在0 - 3负于洛杉矶FC后，激流队正在寻求反弹，这场比赛结束了他们在国内的三连胜。与此同时，体育堪萨斯城以2:0战胜奥斯汀FC结束了他们的三连败。

周四，在美国人庆祝独立日的时候，激流队的目标是将他们在主场的不败纪录延长到五场。

克里斯·阿马斯(Chris Armas)在担任教练的第一年就将急流队(Rapids)打造成了一支充满活力的进攻队伍，今年他在21场联赛中打进38球，比上赛季多了12个。激流队场均进球数排名联盟第七(1.81)，场均预期进球数排名联盟第三(1.69)。

定位球一直是科罗拉多队的强项，他们有10个死球进球，在大联盟中排名第二。他们也表现出了韧性，本赛季在半场领先的情况下赢得了7场比赛。

急流队在2024年赢得了五场国内主场比赛，比上一个常规赛多了两场。

上周末，体育堪萨斯城队打破了长期的连胜纪录，仅获得了15场联赛中的第二场胜利。21场比赛之后，KC以17分排名西部倒数第二，距离季后赛线还差11分。

主教练彼得·维尔梅斯即将取得他作为主教练的第200场常规赛胜利，今年他们只寻求第二场客场胜利。在防守端，堪萨斯城队表现不佳，丢了44个球，联盟第二多。然而，上周末他们一球都没有射正。

维尔梅斯经常轮换阵容，在过去的15场比赛中使用了15个不同的首发阵容。自2014年3月以来，SKC一直没有在迪克体育用品公园获胜。

激流队将失去杰克逊·特拉维斯(应力性骨折)、丹尼尔·查孔(膝伤)和凯文·卡布拉尔(停赛)。莫伊斯·Bombito代表加拿大出战美洲杯，拉明·迪亚克已经回到南特。急流队队长基根·罗森贝里(Keegan Rosenberry)入选了美国职业足球大联盟全明星赛。

对于KC竞技，罗伯特·卡斯特利亚诺斯(脚踝)、雷米·沃尔特(膝盖)、丹尼尔·萨洛伊(脚踝)和洛根·恩登贝(前交叉韧带)将无法上场。费利佩·埃尔南德斯因违反联盟赌博政策而被行政休假。蒂姆·莱博尔德和斯蒂芬·阿夫里法上周末为SKC进球，蒂姆·米利亚本赛季第二次零封对手。

考虑到堪萨斯城的防守挣扎，尤其是在客场，我预测科罗拉多急流队将以2-1获胜，他们将以他们的能量和创造力主宰比赛。