FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids Prediction, Preview and Odds - 4/17/21

FC Dallas finished last season 6th in the Western Conference with an overall record of 9-6-7 on 34 points with a +4 goal difference. FC Dallas reached the postseason and was eliminated during the Western Conference final by Seattle 1-0. Dallas as is usually the case has several young, talented homegrown players that are mixed with seasoned veterans and top-rated International players. FC Dallas is not expected to contend for the Western Conference title but will be competitive enough to reach the postseason once again

Colorado finished last season fifth in the Western Conference at 8-4-6 on 28 points with a +4 goal difference and owned a record very similar to 6th place Dallas. The Rapids were eliminated early from the MLS postseason after losing in round one 3-0 to Minnesota United. Colorado returns the majority of players that started or saw many minutes on the pitch and are once again expected to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack of the Western Conference

Acquisitions during the off-season Help Dallas Outlook

FC Dallas made three significant additions to the roster during the off-season. Jader Obrian is the biggest addition to the attack for Dallas. Last season Obrian was the leading scorer in the top league in Colombia and scored 27 goals for Rionegra Aguilas in 68 appearances. Jonathan Antonio Martinez will strengthen the back line for Dallas, Martinez played at SD Eibar in Spain last season and also saw time with Barcelona B. The third significant signing for Dallas during the off-season was Freddy Vargas who is on loan from Deportivo Lara. The 22-year-old international from Venezuela has already appeared 100 times as a pro.

Dallas lost Thiago Santos, Reto Zielger, Michael Barros and Bryan Reynolds, who joined AS Roma. However, returning for FC Dallas and key to the club's success is Franco Jara. The forward scored 7 goals in just 16 appearances last season for the club. Matt Hedges is the strength of the Dallas backline and the central defender has held down that position for the last nine seasons. Tanner Tessmann gives Dallas strength in midfield and played for the first time at the professional and international level in 2020. Big things are expected of Tessmann in 2021.

Colorado Rapids keep majority of roster from 2020

The Rapids return the overwhelming majority of last year's core players and no major departures were suffered. The top returning players include Kellyn Acosta who is a strong midfielder that can defend against any opponent's top attackers. Lalas Abubakar has become one of the strongest defenders for Colorado and since 2019 has been a focal point of the Rapids defense starting 17 of the clubs 18 matches last season. Cole Bassett gives Colorado strength and youth at midfield with strong scoring abilities as Bassett scored five goals and also added five assists and just 14 matches at central midfield last season. Younes Namli did not have numbers that jumped off the page with just two goals and three assists but it was his first MLS campaign and the attacker is expected to be one of Colorado's top scorers in 2021.

Colorado added only two significant players to the roster during the offseason. Michael Barrios was a longtime winger for FC Dallas and arrived at Colorado via a trade during the offseason. Barrios gives Colorado much-needed pace on the right side and gives the Rapids more depth in their attack. Philip Mayaka was selected by the Rapids after dropping out of the first spot in the draft, the central midfielder, who was born in Kenya, arrived in Florida to go to the Monteverde Academy and is expected to make an immediate contribution to the Rapids.

Full game pick

FC Dallas +115

Pick Analysis:

FC Dallas will be playing on its home pitch and as is the case often, playing at home is a big advantage but even more so earlier in the season. These two met last in September of 2020 with Dallas winning at home 4-1. Over the last three matches between these two played in Dallas, FC Dallas has won two and one ended in a draw with FC Dallas outscoring Colorado by a combined 7-3. Dallas added Jader Obrian to an already strong attack and the addition of the Colombian will prove to be one of the differences not only throughout the season but in this first outing on Saturday to open the 2021 MLS campaign.

Full game total prediction: Your Over/Under prediction

Under 2.5

Full game total prediction analysis:

Oftentimes in the first few matches of a season goal scoring is not up to par as the defenses control the attackers and the goalkeepers stop most of the shots on goal that is few and far between compared to later in the season when clubs have played more as a unit.