Rapids Take On Baby Goats

The Rapids are looking at another must-win game tomorrow. The win last week combined with the other results took a bit of the pressure off, but the Under-a-Chivas are the worst team in the conference and if we can't beat them, we don't belong in the playoffs. These teams faced off in the opening game of the season, where the Rapids got their first ever opening day road win. Game time tomorrow is at 7, tailgate starts at 5, due to the Washington-BYU game I won't get there until about 6:30. ;)

Injury Report:

OUT: MF Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain); MF Colin Clark (L ACL tear); FW Ross Schunk (R ACL tear)

DOBUBTFUL: DEF Marvell Wynne (L hamstring strain)

PROBABLE: GK Matt Pickens (back spasms)

Discipline Report:

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Conor Casey, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni

TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: Jeff Larentowicz

Chivas has 5 players missing or questionable. Colorado will have to re-shuffle their back line, my best guess::

Pickens

Kimura - Moor - Baudet - Earls

Ballouchy - Larentowicz - Pablo - Smith

Cummings - Casey

It seems like we've returned to the 4-4-2. I expect that Smith will go with the same backline he used mid-game last week when Wynne got hurt, but he could put Palguta in the middle and keep Moor on the outside.

I also think that Pablo and Casey should pick up yellow cards this game. Next week's game in NY on 9/11 seems to be a game we're unlikely to win. Better that they're suspended for that game then one of the following games when our odds at full strength are better. Cummings will get a card knocks off if he doesn't get a card this week, so he's free and clear if he stays clean.

Key To Look For: Knocking Chivas out early. The more Colorado lets Chivas hang around the better their chance of stealing a point or even pulling off the upset. Like last week we need to hit them hard and hit them early.

Prediction: 2-0 win, goals by Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. I think that Casey continues on the hot streak he was on last week, both getting a goal and an assist. Chivas can't crack our defense and we blank them both games this season.