Colorado Rapids and Austin meet at the weekend sitting just two points apart in Major League Soccer, with the Rapids in 13th place on 19 points and Austin in 14th on 17 points after 17 matches apiece. Both sides occupy mid-table positions in the 30-team league, and the closeness of the standings gives this Regular Season fixture a sharp edge.
The Rapids head into Sunday's match on the back of two consecutive defeats, having lost to Houston Dynamo and Vancouver Whitecaps in their most recent outings. Across their last five matches, Colorado have taken four points, a sequence that also includes a draw with Los Angeles FC and a loss to Inter Miami, offset by a 6-2 win over Houston Dynamo.
Austin arrive in contrasting form, having won their last two matches — both 2-0 victories, against St. Louis City and Houston Dynamo respectively. They have collected seven points from their last five matches, a run that also features a draw with Toronto FC and defeats to San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Rapids' season record reads six wins, one draw and ten defeats, with 26 goals scored and 25 conceded. Austin's campaign stands at four wins, five draws and eight defeats, with 22 goals scored and 35 conceded.
With the table as tight as it is between these two sides, Sunday's result at Colorado carries clear implications for where each club sits as Regular Season matchday 20 concludes.