Colorado Rapids vs Vancouver Whitecaps Prediction, MLS Odds

Edgar Chaput
June 20, 2023

The Rapids are looking worse for wear given their 2-9-7 record. The Whitecaps are not playing like world-beaters themselves (5-5-7), but given how congested the Western Conference is, they have a fighter’s chance to make some noise this season. Consider that they have 22 points and the leaders, St. Louis, only 29.

This is one of those games for which neither squad is given tremendous odds. Home side Colorado sits at +135 and visiting Vancouver +206.

Colorado Rapids +146
Draw +261
Vancouver Whitecaps FC +158

Rapids vs Whitecaps Betting Analysis

Wednesday evening marks the second encounter between the sides this season. The Rapids and Whitecaps did battle in Vancouver on April 29, a 0-0 contest that decided very little.

Their recent, shared history barely gives any clues as to who might have the edge either. Of the nine most recent encounters, each side has won thrice, capped off with three draws.

Of note, Colorado has yet to earn all three points in a match at home in 2023. They are the only MLS club that has not been up to task even once in front of its fans (0-4-4). As happenstance would have it, Vancouver has not won away from home (0-4-3). This could be an opportunity for the Whitecaps. While their goal differential is nothing to write home about (plus 6), Colorado’s is minus 13.

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids certainly didn’t do themselves any favours the last time they played. Their away match against Orlando City SC was terrible. Were it not for keeper Marko Ilic’s heroics, it would have been far worse.

Should coach Robin Fraser have something to teach his group, it’s discipline. Look no further than the MLS stats for points accumulated from yellow and red cards (one and three points, respectively). The Rapids lead the league with 55 points. Lo and behold, Brian Galvan and Lalas Abubakar were given their marching orders in the contest versus Orlando. While one could debate that the former was involved in a collision with an opponent who didn’t look much smoother, the latter’s shirt pull – when already down a man – was ridiculous.

Scoring is an issue for the Rapids, as it was against Orlando. Then again, when constantly at risk or even playing with a man short, it’s difficult to create offensive chances. That said, they’ve only put the ball in the net 14 times this season. Only the New York Red Bulls have scored less (11).

Vancouver Whitecaps

As with many other MLS clubs, the Whitecaps haven’t partaken in any action since June 10, when they hosted the best team in the league, FC Cincinnati.

The match had a frantic pace about it, almost from the opening salvo. More than once the Whitecaps thanked either keeper Yohei Takaoka for saving their bacon, or one of the many defenders who performed brilliant blocks. Even so, Vancouver finished the match with more possession (55 per cent) and shot attempts (11 to 10). Just when it looked as though a 0-0 was the most reasonable outcome, Vancouver’s defence got burned on a high ball along the right flank that allowed Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta to surprise Takaoka from long range in the 83^rd minute.

Vancouver was not deterred, and a clumsy defensive challenge by Cincinnati sent Ryan Gauld to the post in the 89^th, where he converted. Make the final 1-1.