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

Tacoma Defiance host Colorado Rapids II at Starfire Sports on 27 July 2026 in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action, with the two Western Conference development sides heading into the game on very different trajectories. Tacoma are firmly mid-pack in the Pacific Division, while Colorado Rapids II are rooted to the bottom of the Frontier Division and Eastern Conference overall.

With Tacoma sitting on 27 points after 19 matches and Colorado Rapids II on just 12, this fixture shapes as an opportunity for the hosts to consolidate a playoff push and keep pressure on the teams above them. For Rapids II, it is about damage limitation and trying to spark some momentum in what has been a brutal campaign so far.

Head-to-head history between Tacoma Defiance and Colorado Rapids II has often produced goals and drama, and with both sides conceding more than a goal per game in 2026, this Group Stage clash again looks set up for an open, attacking encounter.

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Key Stats

• Tacoma Defiance have 27 points from 19 matches (9 wins, 10 losses, 0 draws) with a -3 goal difference (23 scored, 26 conceded) in the 2026 MLS Next Pro standings.
• The last meeting at Starfire Sports on 22 September 2025 ended Tacoma Defiance 1-4 Colorado Rapids II in MLS Next Pro Regular Season - 37.
• In 2026 team statistics, Tacoma average 1.3 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per match, while Colorado Rapids II average 0.9 scored and 2.2 conceded.

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 (2026 season statistics)

From a standings perspective, Tacoma Defiance are clearly ahead. They are 5th in the Pacific Division with 27 points from 19 games, winning 9 and losing 10, and have scored 23 while conceding 26. They also appear 9th in the Eastern Conference table snapshot with the same record, underlining their status as a competitive but inconsistent mid-table side.

Colorado Rapids II, by contrast, are 7th in the Frontier Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference with just 12 points from 19 matches. Their 3 wins and 16 defeats, combined with a -20 goal difference (17 scored, 37 conceded), paint the picture of a team struggling badly at this level. Defensively they are particularly vulnerable, conceding more than two goals per game on average, and their away record (1 win, 8 losses, 8 goals scored, 18 conceded) suggests Starfire Sports is a daunting trip.

Tacoma Defiance vs Colorado Rapids II Key Matchups

Tacoma attacking unit vs Colorado Rapids II back line

Without individual scorer data, the focus shifts to unit-versus-unit trends. Tacoma’s attack in 2026 has produced 25 goals across 19 fixtures in the broader team statistics, averaging 1.3 per game and peaking with home wins such as 4-1. They have been particularly dangerous in the 46–60 minute window, where a significant share of their goals arrive. Against a Colorado Rapids II defence conceding 2.2 goals per match and showing repeated collapses, especially around both halves (31–60 minutes), Tacoma’s collective forward line looks well placed to exploit gaps as the game opens up.

Set pieces and discipline: Tacoma vs Colorado Rapids II

Discipline and set-piece execution could be decisive. Tacoma have earned 5 penalties this season, converting 3 (60%), while Colorado Rapids II have 7 penalties with an impressive 6 scored (85.71%). At the same time, both sides show notable yellow-card volumes, and Colorado Rapids II’s red-card distribution indicates multiple dismissals across different time windows. In a match where Rapids II are likely to defend deep and face sustained pressure, any lapse in discipline could hand Tacoma high-quality chances from the spot or dangerous free-kick positions.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent meetings between Tacoma Defiance and Colorado Rapids II in MLS Next Pro have been high scoring and often unpredictable, with both teams enjoying big wins home and away.

• 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 contest. Their recent form line in the standings reads “WWLLOW”, indicating a generally positive run despite a couple of setbacks. In the prediction model, Tacoma are given a 45 out of 100 chance of winning, with another 45 out of 100 allocated to the draw and only 10 out of 100 to a Colorado Rapids II victory. That aligns with the standings gap and the stark contrast in goal difference.

Colorado Rapids II’s league form string “LWLWL” from the standings is actually a slight uptick compared to their longer-term trend of heavy losing runs in the broader statistics, but their defensive record remains fragile. Tacoma’s attack, which averages over a goal per game and has shown the ability to score in bursts, should find opportunities against a back line conceding more than two per match and struggling away from home.

Given the H2H history of high-scoring matches and both teams’ defensive vulnerabilities, a game with chances at both ends is likely. However, Tacoma’s stronger form, better points tally, and more solid defensive numbers (1.5 goals conceded on average versus Rapids II’s 2.2) tilt the balance in favour of the hosts.

Predicted Score: Tacoma Defiance 2-1 Colorado Rapids II

Tacoma Defiance Recent Form

In the 2026 standings, Tacoma Defiance’s recent form is recorded as “WWLLOW”, showing a team that has put together back-to-back wins, followed by a loss, another loss, a win, and then another loss. Over the wider 2026 statistics sample, their form string “LLWLLLLWWLWWLWWLLWW” underlines how streaky they can be: long losing runs punctuated by clusters of victories. Across 19 fixtures, they have 9 wins and 10 defeats with no draws, scoring 25 and conceding 28, which fits their profile as an aggressive, risk-taking side.

Colorado Rapids II Recent Form

Colorado Rapids II’s standings form reads “LWLWL”, a sequence of alternating defeats and wins that hints at minor recent improvement. However, the longer-term 2026 statistics string “LLLLLLLLLLLLLWLWLWL” is far more telling, with an extended run of losses before three scattered wins. With just 3 victories and 16 defeats from 19 matches, 18 goals scored and 41 conceded, they remain one of the weakest-performing teams in MLS Next Pro this season.

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. With three goalkeepers available and a large defensive group, they can adjust between more aggressive and more conservative shapes. In midfield, creative profiles like X. Gnaulati and Daniel Robles give them technical quality, while a broad attacking pool led by O. De Rosario and Y. Tsukanome offers pace and movement in behind. The flexibility of this roster supports the high-variance, attack-minded style reflected in their win–loss record.

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 also carry a large, youthful squad, with several teenagers across the back line and midfield. That inexperience has shown in their defensive numbers, with frequent lapses and heavy defeats. However, the attacking group featuring J. Copeland, M. Diop and B. Jamison has enough talent to threaten in transition if given space. Expect Rapids II to set up compact and look to break quickly, trying to exploit Tacoma’s willingness to commit numbers forward.

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

Below are three data-backed betting angles for this MLS Next Pro Group Stage clash.

• Result Tip: Tacoma Defiance Double Chance (Win or Draw). With Tacoma rated at 45 out of 100 to win and the draw also at 45, against just 10 out of 100 for Colorado Rapids II, backing the hosts not to lose looks a solid angle. Tacoma’s stronger standings position, better goal difference, and superior attacking metrics justify a conservative result play in their favour.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 Total Goals. Both teams’ 2026 numbers point towards goals: Tacoma matches average around 2.8 total goals (1.3 for, 1.5 against), while Colorado Rapids II games average about 3.1 (0.9 for, 2.2 against). The H2H history is packed with high-scoring contests (including 6-4 and 4-2 scorelines), so a goals-based angle above the lowest lines is statistically well supported.
• Value Tip: Both Teams to Score. Despite their struggles, Colorado Rapids II have found the net in several recent head-to-heads and average close to a goal per game in 2026. Tacoma, meanwhile, rarely draw blanks and have failed to score in only 6 of 19 fixtures. Given Tacoma’s attacking intent and Colorado’s ability to strike in transition, BTTS offers potential value, especially if priced generously due to Rapids II’s poor record.

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