Matt Wells suggested that his Colorado Rapids team and St. Louis City SC should be higher up the Western Conference, ahead of their clash at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 

The Rapids are ninth in the standings on 13 points, five places and seven points clear of St. Louis, who have failed to win their last five MLS outings (D2 L3). 

Colorado were also beaten last time out against the Houston Dynamo, with Lawrence Ennali's 72nd-minute goal enough for all three points at Shell Energy Stadium. 

Wells' side have also endured a difficult stretch, going winless in their last four matches, with their only point coming away from home against Los Angeles FC on April 22. 

But the Rapids are now back at home for the first time since April 18, and Wells is relishing the chance to play in front of their own supporters, but he acknowledged that St. Louis' position in the table is deceiving given their recent displays. 

"Obviously, we always focus on ourselves, but we always look to study our opponents to see how we can best put our philosophy onto the pitch," Wells said. 

"But I have been really impressed watching them. They are in a similar boat to us in that they probably should have more points on the board. 

"Their performances definitely deserve more. I thought they were outstanding against San Jose. They have a clear tactical structure and a clear framework. 

"They will look to have the ball, and we will try and have the ball. They will press and we will press. It will be a good game."

St. Louis, meanwhile, were beaten 2-0 away from home by Austin FC in their last league match, with Christian Ramirez and Myrto Uzuni on target for the hosts. 

But it was a game that boss Yoann Damet left with frustration, given his team registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.19 from their 15 shots to Austin's 1.78 from 16 attempts.

Simon Becher wasted several glorious opportunities at Q2 Stadium, though Damet said fatigue within his team played its part in the closing stages of the contest. 

"It was the third game of the week for us, and I think we lacked a little bit of freshness in some key moments," Damet conceded. 

"It is [frustrating] not only for me, for the players, for the staff, but probably also, for the fans.

"Again, it's tough after that game to not look at the full week we've had and how much work we've had to put in. I thought we were a little bit in between in the first half. 

"I thought we probably left a lot of energy in Chicago on Wednesday, and with both travels, I thought we were in between and physically, probably not as fresh."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Lucas Herrington

Herrington completed 109 passes last time out for Colorado, the second time this season he has completed at least 100 passes in a match (121 versus Los Angeles FC in April).

He is the only Rapids player since passing data has been collected (from 2010) to record multiple games with 100 or more successful passes.

St. Louis – Marcel Hartel

Hartel attempted six shots and created four chances for team-mates in St. Louis' loss to Austin FC last Sunday.

It was the 12th time a St. Louis player was directly involved in at least 10 shots in a regular-season match, with Hartel responsible for five of those.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN

Colorado have won three of their last four matches against St. Louis (D1) after failing to win either meeting during the 2023 season (D1 L1). The Rapids have outscored St. Louis, 8-1, over the four meetings since the start of the 2024 season.

However, the Rapids are winless in five straight matches in all competitions (D2, including a penalty shoot-out win, L3). They had recorded five wins in their previous seven matches (L2) prior to going winless in the last five.

St. Louis, meanwhile, are winless in their first six away matches this regular season (D2 L4), including losing their last two away from home. After winning five of their first 10 regular-season away matches, St. Louis have won just six of 47 away from home (D14 L27).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 47.3%

Draw – 23.8%

St. Louis – 28.9%