Less than 20 percent of the Colorado Rapids’ 2019 season has been played, but striker Kei Kamara already feels a “maximum six points” are needed from the upcoming two-game home stretch.
On Wednesday night, the Rapids host Western Conference foe Seattle Sounders FC (9 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada). They’ll then welcome D.C. United on Saturday evening (9 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada), making it two games straight against opponents in the early hunt for the Supporters’ Shield.
“This is it right now, for almost the first half of the season, I got to call it,” said Kamara, who jumped into fifth all-time on the MLS goals scored list last weekend. “Two straight home games, back-to-back real quick with [recovery sessions] in between them, but it’s really it right now. We have to put something together.”
That urgency at Colorado, with an 0-4-2 record, has just two points on the year, hovering dangerously above the lead for the Wooden Spoon. It looked like they could snatch a point last weekend at Orlando City SC, but allowed the Lions to roar back and capture a 4-3 win.
Ahead of these two home games, midfielder Kellyn Acosta stressed the importance of feeding off the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park crowd – with points at a premium.
“They’re like a 12th man for us, so we need to use them for energy and motivation,” Acosta said. “They’re going to be crucial for us, so we need to give them something to be proud of. Two big games at home and we’re looking to get two wins.”
Given the altitude in Commerce City, Colo., the Rapids have long had a massive home advantage. But last season, the first under head coach Anthony Hudson, they amassed a 6-8-3 record in friendly confines, the second-worst in MLS.
Starting against Seattle, Acosta hopes the Rapids can turn things around.
“Now playing at home, we need to take the game to them,” Acosta said. “This is our turf and we need to show them it’s tough to play here and we’re a tough team to play against. The first 15 minutes in both halves are imperative to control the game and get the game going.”
