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Colorado Rapids entertain Comunicaciones at DSG Park in the second-leg CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 fixture on Wednesday.
The hosts will be looking to overturn a one-goal deficit in this game as substitute Karel Espino's 89th-minute goal gave the Guatemalan side the lead in the first leg.
Only one of the five MLS sides have recorded a win in their first-leg fixtures, with New York City FC beating Santos de Guapiles.
Colorado Rapids vs Comunicaciones Head-to-Head
This will be the second meeting between the two sides across all competitions. The first leg fixture at Estadio Mateo Flores was their first-ever competitive encounter, which ended in a 1-0 win for the then hosts.
Colorado Rapids form guide (all competitions): L-D-W-D-D
Comunicaciones form guide (all competitions): D-W-D-W-W
Colorado Rapids vs Comunicaciones Team News
Colorado Rapids
Clint Irwin was not included in the squad that traveled to Guatemala for the first leg and remains a doubt for this game as well. Braian Galvan is ruled out for the remainder of 2022 after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury earlier this month.
Injured: Braian Galván
Doubtful: Clint Irwin
Suspended: None
Comunicaciones
There are no injury concerns for the visiting side ahead of the game. They have other things to worry about for their trip to the USA. Goalscorer in the first leg, Karel Espino, was not included in the squad due to visa-related issues. José Ayovi will also miss the trip due to a similar issue.
Lynner García, Fredy Pérez, Jehú Fajardo, Jonathan Dávila and Diego Santis were also dropped out of the squad as their COVID-19 vaccines are not recognized by the USA.
In total, a 22-man squad was announced ahead of the second leg.
Injured: Braian Galván
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Lynner García, Fredy Pérez, Jehú Fajardo, Jonathan Dávila, Diego Santis, José Ayovi, Karel Espino
Colorado Rapids vs Comunicaciones Predicted XI
Colorado Rapids Predicted XI (5-3-2): William Yarbrough (GK); Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Lalas Abubakar, Lucas Esteves, Keegan Rosenberry; Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jack Price, Collen Warner; Diego Rubio, Jonathan Lewis
Comunicaciones Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kevin Moscoso (GK); Stheven Robles, Nicolás Samayoa, José Corena, Alexander Larín; Jorge Aparicio, Kevin Josue Lopez; Oscar Santis, José Contreras, Rafael Andrés Lezcano Montero; Juan Anangonó
Colorado Rapids vs Comunicaciones Prediction
Colorado Rapids failed to record a single shot on target in the first-leg tie. In this home game, they should fare better. The visitors played out a goalless draw in their league fixture over the weekend, resting their key players.
This will just be the second competitive game for the hosts and they might be a bit rusty here. Given the home advantage, a draw seems to be the likely outcome here.
Prediction: Colorado Rapids 1-1 Comunicaciones
