MLS Round 1 on February 23, 2025, will be hot as St. Louis City and Colorado Rapids face off in what is sure to be a rollercoaster ride. Both sides arrive loaded with new news and intriguing preseason trends that make this meeting anything but ordinary. Enjoy plenty of pyrotechnics, quirky kit announcements, and tactical clinics from managers Olof Mellberg and Chris Armas as they navigate transfer gossip, team changes, and the only unknowns that football can muster up. From potential weather surprises to that enigmatic referee blunder, we're examining all the angles to help you grab the optimal value bets.
Claim Your Welcome BonusSt. Louis City SC
St. Louis City was thus far as erratic a season as a box of chocolates—2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses (LWDDWL) throughout the preseason, culminating in a nail-biting 2-1 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Earthquakes. Manager Olof Mellberg wants to bring discipline and imagination to a squad that's seen a whirlwind of activity away from the playing field. Notably, the club fortified its midfield when it recruited Norwegian dynamo Conrad Wallem on January 17, 2025, and loaned forward Nökkvi Thórisson to Sparta Rotterdam just days earlier. New additions like draft pick Emil Jääskeläinen and the release of the attacking "Forever CITY Red" jersey are signs of a club trying to rebrand. With their home stadium now officially Energizer Park, the Blues are buzzing with fresh energy-even if their performance has been a little uneven. The streaks are intriguing: scoring in 4 of 5 games and consistently keeping their card count under 4.5, but conceding a goal in each game implies some defensive weaknesses that could be exploited by a well-behaved Rapids team.
Colorado Rapids
Conversely, the Colorado Rapids are on a 6-game winning streak and a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC, highlighted by Dorde Mihailovic's breathtaking double. Manager Chris Armas has clearly found the right formula, as his team checked off key streaks: scoring first in 4 of 5 games and going under 4.5 cards and under 10.5 corners across the board. The Rapids aren't resting on their laurels either—captain Keegan Rosenberry's contract extension through 2028, the February 15, 2025 signing of midfielder Josh Atencio, and the addition of Ghanaian prospect Ali Fadal on February 8, 2025 have all injected fresh energy into the team. With such a powerful foundation and astute managerial decisions, Colorado looks set to exploit the defensive frailties in St. Louis City and carry that momentum deep into the season.
Head to Head
Historically, the Rapids have enjoyed a narrow advantage on the encounters with 2 wins, compared to St. Louis City's one win and one draw. But as any seasoned bettor will tell you, history is merely the appetizer—the magic lies in the unpredictable twists of the beautiful game.
History of Head-to-Heads
Major League Soccer 2025 
Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer 2024
St. Louis City
Major League Soccer 2024
Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer 2023
Colorado Rapids
Major League Soccer 2023
St. Louis City
St. Louis City Latest Games
St. Louis City 
St. Louis City
Seattle Sounders FC
St. Louis City
St. Louis City
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids Latest Games
Colorado Rapids
Charlotte FC
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Expert Betting Tips
✅ Colorado Rapids or Draw and Over 1.5 Goals @ 2.14 Odds on 1xbet:
With Colorado's stellar unbeaten run and superior head-to-head advantage, backing a double chance on Rapids or a draw minimizes risk in light of uncertainties like surprise injuries or referee decisions. Watch for Olof Mellberg's strategic adjustments to be put to the test against Chris Armas' finely tuned machine.
✅ Under 4.5 Total Cards @ 1.92 Odds on Betway:
Discipline is the game name here. Both teams have registered under 4.5 cards in each of their matches (8/8 streaks both ways), and a bet on under 4.5 total cards should prove to be the winner, short of any unexpected referee blowups or high-level emotions that skew the equation.
✅ Under 10 Total Corners @ 1.83 Odds on Bet365:
The Rapids have been particularly liberal with corners (a flawless 5/5 under 10.5 run), pointing to a possession-focused, control-minded approach. Both sides should prioritize methodical build-ups rather than desperate wing play, and thus the under 10.5 corners bet is a smart wager.
Other predictions
