Chris Armas believes failures in both boxes are costing the Colorado Rapids amid their four-game winless run, as they prepare to visit San Diego FC on Wednesday.

Colorado are ninth in the Western Conference with 16 points, with their most recent victory coming in the reverse fixture at home to San Diego on April 12.

Since then, they have drawn with the Houston Dynamo (2-2) and Seattle Sounders (1-1), while losing to D.C. United (2-1) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2-0).

But Armas does not believe they are wanting for much between the two penalty areas, pointing out that they need to stop giving themselves mountains to climb.

"I'm a realist. Seattle, two games ago at home, we were putting in a real game against one of the better teams in our conference," he told Altitude Sports Radio.

"We were 90 seconds from beating Houston on the road, so for me, goals change games. It's not the NBA where you can be down by 20 and then you're back in it with a little bit of a run.

"In soccer, the hardest thing to do is score goals. In these games lately, we have been hurting ourselves a bit and we're experiencing the effects of how goals change games.

"The performances have to be better, yes, but more so, defending our box better and scoring some goals will change everything."

San Diego are fourth in the West, two points clear of Colorado, having beaten St. Louis City 2-1 last weekend with Anders Dreyer among the goals.

And the Dane is now looking forward to the first midweek fixture in the franchise's history, as they bid to continue their positive start in MLS.

"It's nice. I like it that way. I tried it a lot earlier than this season as well, in Europe with a lot of games midweek, and it's nice. I like it," Dreyer said.

"You could play three games every day, if it was possible."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer

San Diego's 2-1 win over St. Louis on Saturday was the seventh time they have scored multiple goals in their 12 MLS matches. Only the Chicago Fire (12), Los Angeles FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps (eight) have more multi-goal games than San Diego this season.

Dreyer got what proved to be the winner in that match and his five goals this term are the most of any San Diego player.

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro

Navarro is one of two Colorado players to net on five occasions this season, alongside Djordje Mihailovic, but the Brazilian has not scored in his last three matches.

Wednesday would be a good time to end that run.

MATCH PREDICTION – SAN DIEGO FC WIN

San Diego have won three of their last four home matches (L1), scoring at least three goals in all three wins, including a 5-0 rout of FC Dallas on May 3. 

They have only managed two total goals in their other three home matches, however (D2 L1).

Colorado won their first meeting with San Diego 3-2 on April 12. The Rapids have lost only one of their last six matches against expansion teams (W3 D2).

However, after only losing only two of their first 10 matches this regular season, the Rapids have lost consecutive games. 

They are winless in four straight matches, with their last victory coming against San Diego on April 12. Expect the hosts to exact their revenge here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Diego FC – 47.7%

Colorado Rapids – 26.2%

Draw – 26.1%