Rapids Who Stare At Goats

The season is here and its about time! The Rapids are in LA-LA land to face the Under-a-Chivas. Kickoff is at 8:30pm Denver time. The Supporters Groups are having their kickoff party at Katie Mullins on the 16th St. Mall. Party starts at 6:30pm and is open to everyone!

Injury Report:

OUT: MID Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain), FWD Ross Schunk (R ACL tear)

DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: DEF Julien Baudet (R calf strain)

PROBABLE: FWD Conor Casey (R foot sprain), FWD Omar Cummings (R knee sprain), MID Jeff Larentowicz (L knee scope)

Wow, now that's an ugly injury report. There are 4 likely starters on that list. Chivas only has 3 players on their whole injury report. Obviously the Rapids will be in a bit of a hole. Its hard to guess at the first lineup of the season anyway, and with that many injuries its really tough, but I'll give it a shot:

Pickens

Kimura - Moor - Palguta - Earls

Pablo

Smith - Ballouchy - Clark

Cummings - Casey

I'm only confident with about 50% of this lineup. We could easily see Baudet, Larentowicz, Wynne, LaBauex, or even Akpan in the starting lineup. I'm hoping that I'm pretty accurate though, as that's pretty close to our best 11.

Key To Look For:
Teamwork. There could be anywhere from 1 to 4 new players in the starting lineup. We could see new arrival Marvell Wynne thrust right into the first XI, depending on Clark and Baudet's health.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Conor Casey. With all the injuries and probable shuffled lineups I don't see a great game form the Rapids. Chivas is facing many of the same issues though and it will be hard to separate the teams. Casey opens his account early, but the probably unfamiliar back line will make a mistake and allow a goal.