Colorado Rapids vs. New York City FC | MLS Match Preview

MLSsoccer staff

COLORADO RAPIDS vs NEW YORK CITY FC
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS PARK, Commerce City, Colo.
March 21, 2015 (WEEK 3, MLS Game #21)
4 p.m. ET (MLS Live)

The Colorado Rapids and New York City FC will meet for the first time ever when the clubs kick off the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park season for 2015 on Saturday afternoon. The Rapids return to action after a bye week, opening their campaign with a scoreless draw at Philadelphia Union two weeks ago. NYCFC hit the road off an historic win, defeating the New England Revolution 2-0 in the first MLS game played at venerable Yankee Stadium.

The Rapids starting center back tandem of rookie Axel Sjoberg (6-foot-7) and Bobby Burling (6-5) is the tallest combined central defense pair in MLS history. Sjoberg, along with Columbus Crew SC striker Adam Bedell, is the tallest player recorded in MLS history.
NYC FC sit atop the Eastern Conference along with fellow expansion club Orlando City SC following the first victory in club history, a 2-0 defeat of MLS Cup 2014 finalist New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
David Villa made his mark on the MLS scoring tables in his second game, netting his first MLS goal then setting NYC FC’s second for his first assist in the home win vs. New England.

REFEREE: Sorin Stoica. AR1 (bench): Jonathan Johnson; AR2 (opposite): Jason White; 4th: Younes Marrakchi

MLS Career: 29 games; FC/gm: 28.4; Y/gm: 4.2; R: 13; pens: 18

SUSPENDED: COL: Bobby Burling (through March 22); James Riley (through March 22)

DISABLED LIST: none

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL-TIME: First meeting.