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Chris Armas wants Colorado Rapids to use their trip to Austin FC as preparation for the start of the playoffs when they meet in the final game of the MLS regular season.
Colorado secured their playoff place last month but are not yet sure where in the Western Conference they will finish.
Other results could see them move up or down the table, and after losing their last three matches, Armas is keen to finish the regular season on a high.
“You can tell something different is in the air,” he said. “The playoffs are here.
“The energy in the team is really good, and we’re looking forward to the weekend and the big test in Austin.
“We want to use it the right way, to finish the season in the right way and get into the right mindset for the first playoff game.”
Meanwhile, Austin sacked head coach Josh Wolff after a 2-1 defeat to LA Galaxy last time out ensured they would not make the playoffs.
Davy Arnaud will take interim charge for their final game of the season, and his sole focus is on getting three points on Saturday.
“You saw guys [in the last two games] who are still giving everything they have,” Arnaud said, as quoted in the Verde All Day substack.
“For me, there would be no reason that it wouldn’t be a very similar feel inside the stadium on Saturday, and I think they’ll see a group that I’m hoping that they’re proud of, that still represents this club in a really good way, despite the fact that we won’t be in the playoffs.
“I’ve loved my time here in Austin, but I think it’s too early to really fully talk about those things right now because we have a focus on Saturday.”
Finishing work heading into the weekend. #AustinFC x @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/DBJL2Y7EP0
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) October 17, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi
Each of Austin’s last 15 goals have been scored from open play dating back to mid-June, with their most recent being scored by Sebastian Driussi last time out against LA Galaxy.
Austin have not scored from a set piece since a penalty goal on June 1 and have not scored a non-penalty goal from a set piece since late May.
Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic
Djordje Mihailovic (11 goals, 12 assists) is the first player in Rapids history to record 10 goals and 10 assists in a single regular season.
He enters the final day of the season tied with Diego Rubio (2022) for the most goal contributions in a single season in Rapids history.
MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WIN
Austin are winless in five straight regular-season home matches (D2 L3) for the first time in club history. They have managed just one win in their last eight matches at Q2 Stadium dating back to late May (D3 L4), but they will be keen to sign off for the season with a victory.
Colorado have never lost away against Austin FC (W1 D2), with the last two meetings between the sides at Q2 Stadium ending in draws. The Rapids are one of two teams (Seattle Sounders – four) to play three or more regular-season away matches at Austin without a loss.
Colorado have collected 50 points this season after totalling just 27 in the 2023 campaign. The 23-point improvement is the largest year-over-year improvement by the Rapids in the club’s MLS history (excluding the shortened 2020 season), surpassing a 21-point bounce from 2015 to 2016.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 40.7%
Draw – 26.7%
Colorado Rapids – 32.7%