Our prediction for this MLS match:
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will host Thursday’s MLS game between Colorado Rapids and Orlando City. Colorado failed to win the previous five league fixtures, and, no doubt, they will give 100% to get back on course against Orlando. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Chile international Diego Rubio as the 29-year-old forward has been in a fine form of late, while all Jack Price, Oliver Larraz, Aboubacar Keita, and Braian Galvan remain in the recovery room.
The Lions, on the other hand, recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Miami in their last league fixture, with the team quickly bouncing back from a 5-3 loss to DC United. Orlando City, though, are not regarded as good travellers, which is probably the main reason why we are going to put our money on draw. There are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Diego Rubio):
Diego Rubio is a Chilean attacker who signed his first professional deal with Colo-Colo. Rubio, though, made only eight league appearances (scoring three goals) for the Chilean outfit and in 2011 he moved to Europe, signing a deal with Primeira Liga team Sporting Lisbon. After playing only 11 league matches for the Lions, the 179-cm tall striker joined Spanish club Valladolid at the age of 22.
It has to be noted that during his spell with Sporting Lisbon he was loaned to the likes of Pandurii Targu Kiu and Sandnes Ulf. On September 1, 2016 Diego Rubio signed a permanent teal with Sporting Kansas City and he has been playing for the MLS club ever since.
Rubio was born on May 15, 1993 in Santiago, the capital of Chile, and he made his debut for the Chilean national football team in June, 2011 against Paraguay. His contract with Sporting Kansas City expires on June 30, 2017.
Highlighted Team (Orlando City):
Orlando City are a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer. The Lions have been participating in the major league since 2015 and they host their rivals at Orlando City Stadium. The venue was opened in February, 2017 and the construction of the stadium cost $155 million. Orlando City finished the 2015 MLS season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and they failed to make it to the play-offs in the 2016 season as well (8th place).
Brazilian ace Kaka is undisputedly the club’s most famous player and the former Real Madrid and Milan man became the highest-paid player in MLS history. His base salary was $6.6 million per year and it has to be noted that the Brazilian superstar found the net on his Orlando City debut against FC Dallas (friendly). Orlando City’s home kit is violet, while they wear white and violet shirts and white socks on the travels. The club’s official mascot is Kingston the Lion.