Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Tacoma Defiance welcome Colorado Rapids II to Starfire Sports on 27 July 2026 in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action, with the two sides arriving in very different moods. Tacoma are firmly in the playoff picture in the Pacific Division, while Colorado Rapids II are rooted near the bottom of the Frontier Division after a brutal campaign.

With Tacoma sitting on 27 points from 19 matches and Colorado Rapids II on just 12 from the same number of games, this fixture shapes up as a chance for the hosts to consolidate their position and keep momentum in the Western conference landscape. For the visitors, every match now is about pride and damage limitation as they try to halt a long-running sequence of defeats.

Recent MLS Next Pro predictions around Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II focus heavily on Tacoma’s superior form and attacking output at home, set against Colorado’s leaky defence. The head-to-head history also adds intrigue: these sides tend to produce goals, and this matchup has quietly become one of the more entertaining clashes on the MLS Next Pro schedule.

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Key Stats

• Tacoma Defiance have 27 points from 19 matches (9 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws) with a goal difference of -3 in the 2026 MLS Next Pro season.
• The last meeting at Starfire Sports on 22 September 2025 ended Tacoma Defiance 1-4 Colorado Rapids II in the MLS Next Pro Regular Season.
• Across the 2026 MLS Next Pro season statistics, Tacoma Defiance have kept 5 clean sheets, while Colorado Rapids II have managed just 2.

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 5 vs 7
• Points: 27 vs 12
• Goals For: 23 vs 17
• Goals Against: 26 vs 37
• Clean Sheets: Tacoma Defiance 5; Colorado Rapids II 2 (season statistics)

In the Pacific Division, Tacoma Defiance are 5th with 27 points from 19 matches, scoring 23 and conceding 26. They have been all-or-nothing: 9 wins, 10 defeats, and no draws. At home they are 5-0-5 with 11 goals scored and 10 conceded, underlining a solid but not dominant record at Starfire Sports. Their overall goal difference of -3 reflects a side that can be dangerous going forward but is not immune to lapses at the back.

Colorado Rapids II sit 7th in the Frontier Division on 12 points from 19 games, with a goal difference of -20. Their record of 3 wins and 16 losses, with no draws, is one of the weakest in the league. They have scored 17 and conceded 37 overall, averaging just 0.9 goals for and 2.2 against per match in season statistics. Away from home they are 1-0-8 with 8 scored and 18 conceded, which makes this trip to Tacoma particularly daunting.

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Key Matchups

Tacoma attack vs Colorado Rapids II defence

Tacoma’s season statistics show a balanced but capable attack: 25 goals in 19 matches across all venues, averaging 1.3 per game, with 1.2 at home. Their biggest home win has been 4-1, and they have reached four goals in a match on multiple occasions. They also create enough pressure to win penalties, converting 3 of 5 so far (60.00%).

Colorado’s defence is one of the weakest units in MLS Next Pro this season. They have conceded 41 goals in 19 matches, with 21 at home and 20 away, and an average of 2.2 goals against per game. Their heaviest losses include 1-4 at home and 3-1 away, and they have struggled to control matches for long periods. Against a Tacoma side that tends to grow into games — a significant share of Tacoma’s goals arrive between 46 and 75 minutes — this matchup clearly tilts toward the hosts.

Colorado Rapids II forwards vs Tacoma Defiance back line

Colorado Rapids II average 0.9 goals per game (18 in 19 matches), with 9 scored at home and 9 away. Their biggest wins have been narrow (1-0 at home and 1-2 away), suggesting they rarely blow teams away and rely on tight margins when they do succeed. They have failed to score in 5 of 19 matches, underlining their inconsistency in the final third.

Tacoma’s defence, while not elite, is more solid than Colorado’s. They have conceded 28 in 19 matches (1.5 per game) and only 11 at home, averaging 1.1 per home match. They have kept 5 clean sheets across the season and limited opponents to under 2.5 goals in 15 of 19 games according to their goals-against under/over splits. If Tacoma maintain their usual defensive level at Starfire Sports, Colorado will need to be unusually efficient to break them down more than once.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This fixture has produced goals and swings of momentum over recent seasons, with both sides enjoying big wins home and away. The last five MLS Next Pro meetings illustrate how unpredictable the scorelines can be, even if Tacoma have generally had the better of the rivalry.

• 22 September 2025: Tacoma Defiance 1-4 Colorado Rapids II (MLS Next Pro)
• 21 July 2025: Colorado Rapids II 6-4 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro)
• 25 March 2024: Tacoma Defiance 4-2 Colorado Rapids II (MLS Next Pro)
• 14 August 2023: Tacoma Defiance 1-3 Colorado Rapids II (MLS Next Pro)
• 19 June 2023: Colorado Rapids II 1-2 Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro)

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Prediction

Stats suggest Tacoma Defiance should control this game, but the head-to-head record warns against complacency. Colorado Rapids II have twice scored four or more goals against Tacoma in recent seasons, including a 4-1 win at Starfire Sports in September 2025 and a 6-4 thriller in Denver earlier that year. However, those results came in a different campaign; in 2026, Colorado’s form has collapsed, while Tacoma remain competitive in their division.

The prediction model gives Tacoma a 45% chance of winning, the draw also at 45%, and Colorado Rapids II just 10%. That effectively frames Tacoma as strong favourites not to lose (double chance), which aligns with their superior standings position, better recent form, and stronger underlying season numbers. Colorado’s long losing streaks and defensive vulnerability, particularly away from home, make it difficult to back them for an upset, even with their historical success in this fixture.

Predicted Score: Tacoma Defiance 2-1 Colorado Rapids II

Tacoma Defiance Recent Form

Tacoma’s recent form in the standings is marked as WWLLOW, reflecting a side that has strung together wins but still mixes in the occasional setback. Over the full 19-match sample, they have 9 victories and 10 defeats with no draws, underscoring a high-variance profile. Season statistics show they average 1.3 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per match, with 5 clean sheets and 6 matches where they have failed to score. Their last five-match form index is 60, with 8 goals scored and 7 conceded, indicating a modest positive trend.

Colorado Rapids II Recent Form

Colorado Rapids II’s standings form string LWLWL continues a broader pattern of struggle. Over 19 matches they have lost 16 times, with only 3 wins and no draws. Season statistics highlight a long negative run: a biggest losing streak of 13 matches and a goals-against average of 2.2 per game. Their last five-match form index sits at 40, with 5 goals scored and 7 conceded, which is a slight improvement on their worst periods but still well below Tacoma’s level.

Tacoma Defiance Possible Starting Lineup

GK: M. Anchor or N. Newman or M. Shour; Defenders: D. Alvarez, C. Baker, D. Brown, C. Gaffney, S. Hawkins, A. Lopez, Mark O'Neill, C. Phoenix, R. Sailor, G. Sandnes, J. Winslow; Midfielders: K. Brito, E. Carli, J. Dale, M. Emert, X. Gnaulati, P. Kingston, S. Kitafuji, N. Petković, Daniel Robles, B. Smith; Forwards: M. Bronnik, O. De Rosario, S. Gomez, L. Gonzalez, O. Hassan, R. Jauregui, L. Lucero, Y. Tsukanome.

Tacoma Defiance have a deep squad with multiple options in every line. The defensive unit features experienced figures like R. Sailor alongside younger prospects, while the midfield group offers a blend of energy and creativity through players such as X. Gnaulati and Daniel Robles. In attack, a wide selection of forwards gives Tacoma flexibility to adjust between a more direct approach and a possession-based style. Without confirmed lineups, the exact shape is uncertain, but their season statistics — steady scoring and a decent number of clean sheets — suggest a balanced 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 structure is likely.

Colorado Rapids II Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Zackory Campagnolo or K. Starks or D. Williams; Defenders: J. Cameron, J. Chan Tack, J. De Coteau, A. Erickson, G. Gilmore, C. Harper, E. Heredia, J. Pomeroy, V. Rinaldi, K. Sawadogo, K. Thomas; Midfielders: C. Aquino, Q. Bedwell, J. De La Fuente, A. Fadal, L. Garcia, R. Garcia, Noah Strellnauer, L. Strohmeyer, N. Tchoumba, S. Wathuta; Forwards: J. Copeland, M. Diop, A. Harris, B. Jamison, D. Phillip, K. Stewart-Baynes.

Colorado Rapids II’s squad is notably young, with many teenagers across the back line and midfield. That inexperience has shown in their defensive record, with 41 goals conceded in 19 matches. The presence of several attacking options — including J. Copeland, M. Diop and B. Jamison — gives them some threat going forward, but the team’s structure has often been too open, leading to heavy defeats. Expect a cautious setup, possibly with an extra midfielder, as they try to stabilise against a stronger Tacoma side.

Tacoma Defiance Team News

No significant absences reported.

Colorado Rapids II Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Tacoma Defiance:

• None reported.

Colorado Rapids II:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Tacoma Defiance in the double chance (Tacoma or draw). The prediction model gives Tacoma a 45% win probability and the draw another 45%, leaving Colorado Rapids II at just 10%. Combined with Tacoma’s stronger standings position (27 points vs 12) and Colorado’s 16 losses in 19 matches, the hosts look highly likely to avoid defeat.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Tacoma’s season statistics show they average 1.3 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per match, while Colorado average 0.9 scored and 2.2 conceded. Recent head-to-head clashes have been high-scoring — including 6-4 and 4-2 scorelines — so expecting at least two goals in this fixture is well supported by both historical and current data.
• Value Tip: Tacoma Defiance to score at least 2 goals. Tacoma’s biggest home win this season is 4-1, and they have reached four goals in multiple home meetings with Colorado in past seasons (4-2 in March 2024, 4-1 in June 2022). Colorado’s defence concedes 2.2 goals per game on average and has already shipped 37 in 19 league matches. That defensive fragility, combined with Tacoma’s attacking depth, makes a multi-goal home performance a plausible value angle.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.