Atlanta not taking winless Rapids lightly

Michael Parkhurst, who captained Atlanta United to the MLS Cup title last season, scoffs at the suggestion that his team will take winless Colorado lightly when the Rapids visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

After all, Atlanta (1-3-2) is not doing well either.

"They're capable of getting a result," Parkhurst said. "They've had a rough go of it but so have we. Who would look past anybody? We're at the bottom of the table as well so we're not going to do that."

The Rapids (0-6-2) being last in the Western Conference is not surprising since they had the third-fewest points in MLS in 2018.

Atlanta's struggles in the Eastern Conference are notable under first-year coach Frank de Boer, who replaced Gerardo Martino, who is now Mexico's national team coach.

de Boer remains confident despite a 2-1 home loss to FC Dallas on April 20. He noted United's 22 shots were their most this season.

"We played well, but we didn't score the goals," he said. "I told them, if you play like this, I think from the 30 games remaining, you will win 28."

Atlanta is 0-1-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after compiling a 16-4-8 record from its opening in August 2017 to the start of this season.

"There's going to be pressure, obviously, on both teams," said Colorado coach Anthony Hudson. "There's no hiding where we're at. It poses a real opportunity for us to go away in front of a big crowd, big stadium, noisy crowd and put on a performance. It has to happen. We have to get a performance. We have to get a result."

If the Rapids don't win, they will tie the 2012 Toronto FC (0-9-0) for the second longest winless streak to start the season in MLS history. Real Salt Lake was 0-5-6 in 2007.

Colorado will be without suspended (red card) midfielder Jack Price, but forward Kei Kamara will try to extend his goal streak to five games.

--Field Level Media