My Personal Battle - 2011 Part 1

As long time readers of this blog know, the Rapids-Sounders matches always leave me in a bit of a pickle, as I was born in Seattle and raised in the Seattle-area. Every year that goes by makes it a bit easier though, especially since a couple of cousins have become die hard Sounders fans and season ticket holders. Tomorrow night the teams face off at the Dick. Kickoff is at 7:30, so the tailgate starts at 5:30. Bail out of work and start your weekend with the best tailgate in the league. For those of you that can't make it the game will be televised on FOX Soccer Channel.

Injury Report:

OUT: FW Quincy Amarikwa (L ankle strain), FW Macoumba Kandji (L knee ACL tear)

QUESTIONABLE: FW Conor Casey (L hamstring strain)

PROBABLE: MF Pablo Mastroeni (R Achilles strain); MF Sanna Nyassi (L hamstring strain)

Disciplinary Report:

SUSPENDED AFTER 2 MORE CAUTIONS: FW Conor Casey

Casey's injury is a big one obviously, but otherwise our starting XI is pretty intact. Seattle only has former Rapid Pat Noonan on their injury report, so they should be basically at full strength. My best guess at the lineup:

Pickens

Kimura - Wynne - Marshall - Moor

Mullan - Mastroeni - Larentowicz - Smith

Cummings - Folan

Gary Smith talked today about keeping Marshall on the back line due to his success against FSL. I do think Pablo will be ready to go after missing the last couple of games, but Casey won't start. Of course with the injuries and the defensive line talk this is a big guess.

Key To Look For: Folan and Cummings. They didn't have much luck working together int he last couple of games, but know they've had 9 days of practice to figure it out. We need to start scoring again.

Prediction: 2-1 Rapids win. Goals by Folan and Cummings. I think the strike duo finally get on the same page, but it takes a while. The Sounders will be able to use the lack of cohesion up front to keep enough possession to get a goal, but the altitude and the Rapids dominance at home will lead to 3 points.

Picture courtesy of the GoalSeattle archives. The Sea Dogs were a predecessor of the Sounders, coached by our old friend Fernando Clavjo.