Conor Casey is nearing a major milestone with the Colorado Rapids. Toronto FC knows all too well what he's capable of.
Casey will try to help the Rapids stretch their home unbeaten streak to seven games Sunday when he faces his former team, Toronto FC.
The Colorado forward is one goal shy of moving into a tie for third place on the club's all-time list. Casey has 30 goals and can pull even with Chris Henderson. Paul Bravo (39 goals) and John Spencer (37) rank first and second.
Casey began his MLS career by playing two games with Toronto (1-2-0) in 2007 before he was traded to the Rapids (1-1-1) on April 19, 2007. He scored in both meetings last season as the teams split the season series, leaving Toronto with a 4-2 edge in the all-time series.
The Rapids have not lost at home since a 1-0 loss to Columbus on Aug. 1, 2009, although their last three matches at Dick's Sporting Goods Park have ended in draws. Their first home match in 2010 finished 2-2 against Chicago on April 3.
"It's a moment we have to grasp," coach Gary Smith said. "These moments can be instrumental in seasons - to get your first win at home and, more importantly, to get three points on the board. We need to be sure we grab it with both hands."
Colorado wants to take advantage of a Toronto team that has been outscored 6-1 in two road losses this season. Toronto is 0-7-3 in its last 10 road matches, getting outscored 22-6 since a 3-1 win at San Jose on July 11.
In addition, Toronto is facing a quick turnaround after winning 2-1 over expansion Philadelphia on Thursday in its home opener. Dwayne De Rosario scored both goals and has all three this season for Toronto.
"We just have to regroup fast," coach Preki Radosavljevic said. "We have to make sure that we see things on film, that we prepare ourselves (for) the way we want to play in Colorado. It's not going to be an easy task for sure."
This is the first meeting between the teams since their March 25 trade in which Colorado acquired defender Marvell Wynne and sent midfielder Nick LaBrocca and a third-round 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick to Toronto.
Wynne had a career-high five assists for Toronto in 2009, but Radosavljevic didn't feel the defender was a good fit for his system. Wynne has played all 90 minutes in all three games for Colorado.
The Rapids fell 1-0 at Kansas City last Saturday as defender Julien Baudet was sent off in the 72nd minute, meaning he will be suspended for this match.
Omar Cummings has two goals and Casey the other one for Colorado this season.
