Union/United Week To Start Separation From Pack?

This week the Rapids play the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday and DC United on Saturday, both at the Dick. The results against this Union/United combo will go a long way towards Colorado separating itself from the pack of teams at the bottom of the playoff field. We currently hold a 5 point lead over Kansas City in 9th place with 5 games to play. With wins in both games this week and if NY, as the favorite, can beat Kansas City our magic number for a playoff berth would be 2.

First up is Philly tomorrow night. Its the first trip to Colorado for the new expansion team. This game was rescheduled from July so that Philly could host Man U. Would have been nice if we could have hosted somebody this summer. Kickoff is at 7:30, with the tailgate at 5:30.

Injury Report:

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

DOUBTFUL: DEF Julian Baudet (L hamstring strain);

PROBABLE: FW Omar Cummings (L ankle sprain), GK Matt Pickens (groin)

Discipline Report:

SUSPENDED: Conor Casey

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Wells Thompson

TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: Omar Cummings, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni, Jamie Smith, Marvell Wynne

From all reports both Cummings and Pickens are expected to play tomorrow night. Philly is only missing one player so they're in good shape. The lineup seems rather obvious:

Pickens

Kimura - Wynne - Moor - Wallace

Mullan - Larentowicz - Pablo - Smith

Kandji - Cummings

This lineup seems to be working, with the only change being up front. It will be the same midfield and defense we've started the last couple of games.

Key To Look For: Let down. We had a big emotional game on Saturday and we've got two games this week. It will be easy for the team to ease back at home against a weaker opponent but we need to keep the focus on getting 6 points this week.

Prediction: 1-0 win, goal by Omar Cummings. I think the team will overlook the Union a bit to start and we'll be very slow in the first half. The Rapids get it together at halftime but have a hard time penetrating the Philly defense for more than a goal.