Rapids Try To Short Out Dynamo

The MLS season gets re-started again tonight after the break for the World Cup group stage. American soccer fans are riding a high right n ow with Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria that put the U.S. into this afternoon's Round of 16 game against Ghana. Let's hope we can keep the ride going with a spot in the quarterfinals. After today's game the Rapids are in Houston tonight. Game time is 6:30pm and the game is on KWGN.

Injury Report:

OUT: DF Julien Baudet (L knee strain); MF Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain); FW Ross Schunk (R ACL tear); PROBABLE: DF Kosuke Kimura (L ankle stress fracture)

Discipline Report:

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Conor Casey

Houston is fairly healthy, with only one player listed out. The Rapids injury report is almost a week old and reports from training say that Baudet is looking better. My guess at the lineup:

Pickens

Wynne - Moor - Palguta - Earls

Larentowicz - Pablo

Cummings - Ballouchy - Clark

Casey

I'm betting that Smith leaves Baudet on the bench to heal for one more week, but otherwise sticks with the 4-5-1 he used during our 4-game undefeated streak before the break. This also gives him the ability to bring Julian in off the bench should we need help late..

Key To Look For: Which team can turn things back on. This was an odd two week break for the league and it almost feels like we're starting the season over. The team that can get back into its groove the quickest will have success tonight.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Conor Casey. This is a matchup of the two MLS strikers who thought they were going to South Africa, Casey and Ching. I think they both take inspiration from the U.S. and get on the scoreboard. With the break neither team will be hitting on all cylinders and the Rapids can get a point on the road.