Colorado Rapids v Los Angeles FC: Armas praises opponents ahead of playoff-decider

Colorado Rapids' head coach Chris Armas has lauded Los Angeles FC as "one of the best teams in the league" ahead of Saturday's crucial decision day matchup with major implications for both teams' 2025 MLS Cup playoff hopes.

Colorado have managed just one win in their last six matches, allowing FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake to move ahead in the race for the Western Conference's wild card spots.

To stay in playoff contention, the Rapids must secure at least a draw and will be hoping Dallas and RSL drop points elsewhere.

Last time out, Colorado lost 1-0 to fellow playoff-chasers RSL, in a game where Armas' side chalked up an xG of 2.2.

"Of course, we have to get past a really good LAFC team, with [Denis] Bouanga and Son [Heung-min] coming back into the team, I'm sure, obviously one of the best teams in the league," Armas said. 

"We've played well against them, and we play well at home, especially.

"We talk about being bold and not just waiting for things to happen to be the protagonists in games.

"We want to give our fans something to be proud of again, and that's a trip to the playoffs. We don't step on with fear; we love the challenge."

Meanwhile, LAFC have surged into the conversation as a top contender for the 2025 MLS Cup, winning six of their last seven games to challenge for the West's number two seed.

LAFC's attack has been driven by forwards Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, who have combined to score 18 of the team's last 20 goals.

Bouanga (24 goals, eight assists) enters decision day just two goals behind Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

Son, who joined from Tottenham in early August, has quickly made his mark with eight goals and three assists in just nine appearances.

Steve Cherundolo's side will be eager to bounce back after falling to a 1-0 defeat away at Austin on Sunday, in what was their first loss in seven MLS outings. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro

Navarro has been a stalwart for the Rapids this season, leading the way with 12 regular-season goals for the club in 2025, following a 15-goal campaign in 2024.

Since 2011, only two other Colorado players have reached at least 12 goals in a single season: Diego Rubio, who scored 16 in 2022, and Kei Kamara, who tallied 14 in 2019.

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Bouanga has recorded 24 goals and eight assists in the regular season, making him just the third player in MLS history — alongside Messi (2025) and Carlos Vela (2019) — to hit both milestones in a single campaign.

His 32 total goal contributions are 21 more than any other LAFC team-mate this year, with Mark Delgado ranking next at 11.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

LAFC have registered comfortable 3-0 victories against Colorado in each of their last two meetings, although both of those were at home.

The MLS record for most consecutive shutout victories by three or more goals against the same opponent is three — a feat achieved three times (by the Philadelphia Union against D.C. United and New England Revolution, and by the LA Galaxy against the Vancouver Whitecaps). 

The Rapids enter this match on a four-game unbeaten run at home in league play (three wins and a draw), their longest home streak of the season.

Since 2019, Colorado have recorded 11 wins in 19 regular-season home matches against California clubs (five draws, three losses), though all three defeats have come within the past two seasons. 

LAFC need just one point from this fixture to guarantee a second consecutive 60-point season (they earned 62 in 2024). Only one Western Conference team — FC Dallas in 2015 and 2016 — have ever managed back-to-back seasons with 60 or more points.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY:

Colorado Rapids – 24.8%

Draw – 23.1%

LAFC – 52.1%