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There is no respite for Orlando City SC in their MLS Cup play-off push as Jason Kreis‘ Lions continue on the road to face Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Remarkably playing out their NINTH 2-2 draw of the season at Chicago Fire last time out, City had multiple opportunities to put the game away, eventually costing them in the end.

With Rãzvan Cocis scoring a 78th minute equaliser for the Fire, it was incredibly disappointing for Orlando City SC who dominated the play for long periods at Toyota Park.

But with the dust having now settled on Chicago Fire away, Jason Kreis‘ men will need to take every single one of their opportunities at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening.

After all, Pablo Mastroeni’s Colorado Rapids are flying high in the MLS Western Conference right now, currently locked in second place behind FC Dallas on 42 points (23 played).

Having lost the joint fewest amount of games (3) in the West this 2016 campaign, the bad news for Orlando City SC is that Rapids are a pretty formidable outfit at home.

Winning three of their last five home games in MLS, the Commerce City-based side are used to getting their own way so a City draw here would be more admirable than elsewhere.

In many ways, many Lions supporters had hoped Orlando City SC could grab all three points off Eastern Conference basement boys Chicago Fire ahead of this tough match-up but it didn’t turn out like that in the end.

While Orlando City SC have only spent a season-and-a-bit in Major League Soccer, Adrian Heath‘s Lions have faced Colorado Rapids twice in the U.S. Open Cup down the years, dumping Rapids out at the third round stage in 2013 while being eliminated themselves in the fourth round a year later.

2015 head-to-head stats

As alluded to at the outset, last year’s FIRST Major League Soccer meeting between Orlando City SC and Colorado Rapids wasn’t actually the first time the sides have faced one another.

With two U.S. Open Cup ties having been played out between the pair in 2013 and 2014, there is a little more history to this match-up.

However, with Camping World Stadium (then the Citrus Bowl) playing host to last season’s MLS fixture, Denver’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will provide the backdrop to 2016’s encounter.

In the only Major League Soccer meeting between the duo thus far, it’s Orlando City SC who carry the bragging rights heading into this one.

Meeting in Central Florida back in June 2015, goals from the reliable sources that are Cyle Larin and Kaká ensured Orlando City SC prevailed by a comfortable 2-0 scoreline.

What’s more, both goals were scored within just three minutes with Cyle Larin‘s strike on 62 minutes and Kaká‘s on 65.

Colorado Rapids form

There are more forgiving venues in Major League Soccer to travel to than Colorado Rapids who have now gone TWELVE games undefeated at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Winning THREE of their last FIVE games at home, Pablo Mastroeni’s side surprisingly don’t boast a player in the Top 20 MLS top scorers at the moment, confirming they share the goals around.

Admirable really considering they’re only trailing Western Conference pacesetters FC Dallas by three points right now.

You also have to factor into the equation that Tim Howard is now the Rapids’ number one and his July addition speaks for itself.

Defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in their most recent home game, goals from the exciting Marlon Hairston and Dominique Badji sealed the deal.

Colorado Rapids 2 Vancouver Whitecaps 0 – Highlights – August 6, 2016 (Credit: Colorado Rapids)

Orlando City SC form

Far earlier in the season we claimed that for a neutral, Orlando City SC are one of, if not the most exciting side to follow in Major League Soccer.

Now in August, that same theme still rings true with OVER 2.5 GOALS being scored in TWELVE of the Lions’ last FOURTEEN MLS fixtures.

Jason Kreis‘ side have now conceded the third most amount of goals in the East (41) and it goes without saying that if Orlando City SC‘s defence was in order, the Lions would be sitting comfortable in an MLS Cup play-off spot right now.

The 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire in Bridgeview contributed to the fact that Orlando City SC have now conceded AT LEAST TWO GOALS in their last TEN away fixtures in MLS.

A record that isn’t pretty no matter which way you look at it, Joe Bendik just hasn’t been offered adequate defensive protection all season long.

Right now, it appears that Orlando City SC‘s best chance to grab victories is simply by outscoring the opposition and with Matías Pérez García‘s signing adding to an already talented frontline, this is undoubtedly our best hope as it stands.

Chicago Fire 2 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – August 14, 2016 (Credit: Chicago Fire)

We mentioned at the start of the article that Orlando City SC have now drawn as many as NINE 2-2’s in Major League Soccer this season.

And if you’re looking to predict a City away scoreline at the minute, you can feel incredibly hopeful in backing a 2-2!

After all, Orlando City SC have drawn their last THREE away fixtures in Major League Soccer by this scoreline.

• July 16th 2016 – Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Orlando City SC 2
• July 23rd 2016 – Columbus Crew 2 Orlando City SC 2
• August 14th 2016 – Chicago Fire 2 Orlando City SC 2

The good news for Orlando City SC is that Cyle Larin is back on the goal trail once again with the Canadian international having scored ONE goal in each of the Lions’ last three away fixtures in MLS.

Currently FIFTH in the MLS Golden Boot race with 12 strikes to his name, Larin has undoubtedly benefitted from having club captain Kaká back in the side.

With our MLS All-Star duo having linked up to great effect since the start of last season, we always stand a chance of scoring on the counter with these two in the starting eleven.