It serves to reason that if you're keeping at least one eye on Messi and Surridge, you'd do the same with Bouanga in the evening time slot out west. To be fair, that's become a pretty easy decision in general since the arrival of Son Heung-Min in the City of Angels, though, because the Sonny-Denis show has become appointment viewing.
Striking up a devastating attacking chemistry, Son and Bouanga have combined to score 18 of LAFC's last 20 goals, and the Black & Gold are duly riding a 6W-1L-0D surge towards the postseason.
Overall, the Angelenos have only lost twice since the South Korean icon arrived, and with Bouanga in hot pursuit of Messi and needing at least two goals to seize at least a share of the scoring title, Son has extra motivation to drop dimes for his partner in crime. That said, the duo must perform at Colorado's mile-high altitude, and with both just returned from long travel for international duty.
Meanwhile, it's the Last Chance Saloon for the Rapids, who've tailed off markedly in the home stretch with just one win since mid-August. Now they need to win or, at the very least, draw against LAFC, then get help from results elsewhere if they are to clamber back above the Western Conference playoff line as they race FC Dallas, Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake and San Jose.
That means Chris Armas' squad will have to venture out and attack with at least some regularity, even if they're all too aware that doing so enhances the risk of Bouanga/Son roasting them in transition moments. This one could well turn into a track meet.