There’s a large swath in the Western Conference standings between LAFC and the Colorado Rapids — 11 spots and 21 points to be exact.
But there are no hotter teams in MLS right now ahead of a clash at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Friday (10 pm ET | UniMás, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN). Over the course of the last six games, both teams have accrued 14 points through four wins and two draws.
LAFC’s run is less dramatic since it’s a continuation of their season-long form. After a scoreless draw against the Chicago Fire at home on May 4, LAFC picked up two more clean sheets in wins over Columbus Crew SC and FC Dallas in the first of back-to-back matches.
FC Dallas grabbed an early lead in the return leg at Toyota Stadium, but Carlos Vela leveled from the penalty spot 10 minutes from full time in a 1-1 draw.
Four different players scored in the opening 55 minutes en route to a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Impact, followed by a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers, spoiling the grand reopening of Providence Park.
Colorado’s ascent has been more surprising since it came on the heels of eight consecutive defeats and the club parting ways with former coach Anthony Hudson.
The first win under interim coach Conor Casey was the first of the season — 1-0 over the LA Galaxy on the road courtesy of a late winner by Andre Shinyashiki.
Nicolas Mezquida had the late-game heroics in a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC, scoring one minute from full time and then Jonathan Lewis struck in the 72nd minute to forge a 1-1 draw on the road against the Philadelphia Union.
A 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati and a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC followed. In the Rapids return from the Gold Cup break, Diego Rubio and Shinyashiki scored inside the opening 20 minutes to give the Rapids an early two-goal lead at Vancouver before the Whitecaps rallied to score late in each half to rally for a 2-2 draw.
LAFC have won both of the previous regular season meetings, outscoring the Rapids, 5-0.
