Colorado Rapids dey ready to wrap up their three-match road stint this Saturday, April 4, as dem go face Toronto FC for BMO Field. Kickoff na 11:00 a.m. MT, and coverage go dey available for Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, Tico Sports Spanish Radio, ColoradoRapids.com, and the Colorado Rapids app.
Rapids no play any MLS match last weekend, but plenty of their players represent their countries for international level. Defender Lucas Herrington collect him first call-up to the Australian Men’s national team, and he even make him debut against Cameroon by starting the match and playing full 90 minutes. Herrington start again for Australia second match of the window, cap off him first call up to the Socceroos.
Homegrown forward Darren Yapi and defender Noah Cobb also feature for the U.S. U-21 group during their two matches against Japan and Korea Republic. Against Japan, both players start, with Yapi record one goal and Cobb anchor the back line to help post 2-0 clean sheet victory.
After FIFA international window, Rapids dey focus on second consecutive victory this weekend. Dem get dominant 4-1 victory over Sporting KC two weeks ago. Paxten Aaronson first career brace plus three-goal contribution night from Rafael Navarro help Colorado cruise to their first road win of the season. The duo strong performances earn dem both spot on MLS Team of the Matchweek, with Aaronson get the honor for first time this year and Navarro get am for second time for 2026.
For the other side, Toronto FC don dey struggle to find their footing lately, but dem show small signs of success for their most recent match. The club host Columbus on March 21 and concede early, but dem fight back with two unanswered goals to take all three points at home.
Colorado enter the match with several connections to Toronto FC. Head coach Robin Fraser previously lead the Rapids from 2019–2023 and represent the club as player. Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic join Colorado ahead of the 2024 season after him time for Europe and MLS. Former Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who begin him tenure on loan before become the club all-time shutout leader, na the only one among the group wey don face Colorado since dem depart. Additional ties include assistant coach Wolde Harris, former Rapids defender Steven Beitashour, and assistant coaches Neil Emblen and Jase Kim, wey each spend time within the organization.
Meanwhile, for England, FA Cup quarter-final go hold this Saturday as Southampton go host Arsenal for St. Mary’s Stadium. Kickoff na 8 p.m. GMT, and the match go show for BBC One, TNT Sports 1 & 5 for UK, ESPN for U.S., SonyLIV for India, and Stan Sport for Australia.
Arsenal, wey be record 14-time FA Cup winners, dey resume their hunt for trophy when dem travel to Southampton. The Saints dey unbeaten for 14 games and don already defeat Fulham for this competition, so dem fit prove awkward opponents for Mikel Arteta men. Southampton currently occupy the final playoff spot for Championship, largely thanks to 14-match unbeaten run wey start from January. Dem beat Leicester and Fulham for that run to book their FA Cup quarterfinal spot.
Arsenal first assignment after international break na to head to south coast of England when dem take on Southampton. Mikel Arteta side dey hope to put behind the disappointment of losing Carabao Cup trophy to Manchester City, while Tonda Eckert dey aim to pull off upset by keeping him side unbeaten run going.
Injury news dey plenty for both sides. For Southampton, Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki dey suspended. Leo Scienza expected to miss out with groin injury, while Jack Stephens go dey assessed after hurting him ankle for training. For Arsenal, Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino dey injured. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka dey among several doubts, meaning Max Dowman fit start.
Arsenal don reach quarterfinals for first time since dem win this competition for 2019-20, but with long injury list, their focus fit lie elsewhere. Southampton boss Tonda Eckert note say him consider pressure to win must go into any football game, but with promotion six-pointer against Wrexham to follow, Eckert fit dey tempted to rotate.
Key stats show say Arsenal don win FA Cup on record 14 occasions, while Southampton lift the trophy once, for 1976. The Gunners don progress for 45 of their last 48 FA Cup ties against teams outside top flight. Southampton dey unbeaten for 14 games. Both teams don score for last four meetings. Gabriel Martinelli don score four goals and assist for this season FA Cup.
Referee for the match na Sam Barrott. Arsenal record for St. Mary’s fit give Southampton hope; aside from last visit where Arsenal win with late Ødegaard winner, Arsenal don lose twice for their last four visits to the ground, including last time these two teams meet for FA Cup.
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