MLS is Back: Group D Preview – The most even group
By Nathan Dunn
The MLS is Back Tournament has North American soccer fans full of excitement. Here is a full preview of Group D, which features four teams who all have a decent case to advance from their respective group.
Group D of the MLS is Back Tournament comprises four teams all trending in positive directions: the Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, Real Salt Lake, and Sporting Kansas City.
The group opens up with a terrific matchup on July 12th, when Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United face off. Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath said that he believes SKC and Minnesota were the top two sides in the first two games of the season. The ‘friendliest rivalry in the world’ will feature two sides that showed real quality in the attacking third in the first two weeks of play. They accounted for 15 goals from the first two weeks of action.
Group D will also feature a replay of the 2013 MLS Cup final between Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake as well as the first Rocky Mountain Cup matchup between the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake. Group D’s dates are set for July 12th, July 17th, and July 22nd with some exciting under the radar matchups.
Based on the opening two weeks of play at the beginning of the season, it appears that Minnesota United and Sporting KC are the two favorites to advance, but that can quickly change after news of Ike Opara’s absence, while both Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids entering the tournament with high aspirations.
Here is a full preview of Group D, the teams that compete in it, and what might be expected of the coming games.
Colorado Rapids
2019 Record: 9th in Western Conference
2020 Results: 2-1 win vs DC United; 2-1 win vs Orlando City
Head Coach: Robin Fraser
Projected Starters: William Yarbrough; Sam Vines, Drew Moor, Lalas Abubakar, Keegan Rosenberry; Kellyn Acosta, Jack Price, Andre Shinyashiki, Younes Namli, Jonathan Lewis; Kei Kamara
Notable Absentees: Sam Nicholson — Agreed to mutually terminate his contract
The Colorado Rapids enter the MLS is Back Tournament optimistic of their future and chances of doing well in 2020, something that hasn’t been said very often in recent years. While the Rapids are still probably the least likely to advance, they will see this as an opportunity to shock the league with a run into the knockout stages after making some interesting signings that have the chance to make a positive impact.
The Rapids also added goalkeeper William Yarbrough on loan from Club Leon in March, which will be a big decision for Robin Fraser to decide which keeper to start between Yardbrough and Clint Irwin. Accompanying the addition of Yadbrough was the signing of former Montreal Impact midfielder Collen Warner as well as reports that 19-year-old Designated Player signing Braian Galvan will join the Rapids squad for the first time in Orlando.
One worry for the Colorado Rapids is the ageing legs of Kei Kamara. At 35 years old, the former Sierra Leone international may find the Orlando heat difficult to beat along with the shortened rest, but he will have the aid of two late kickoffs. The five substitutions rule may come in handy for Robin Fraser, who will be more likely to give Kamara a rest in game two against Sporting KC, with the ability to bring him in off the bench.