Back To League Play

After a successful Champions League match in mid-week the Rapids are once again back in MLS play which the Under-a-Chivas coming to town. Along with the game Class VI and the Pid Army are holding their second annual home brew contest! Tailgate starts at 4pm and all are welcome to sample the entries and vote for your favorite. The tailgate will have the normal kegs, hot dogs, sodas, etc. as well. Game time is 7pm and for those of you who can't make it to the Dick the game will be on Altitude.

Injury Report:

OUT: FW Conor Casey (L Achilles tear); Anthony Wallace (L knee sprain)

QUESTIONABLE: MF Jamie Smith (R hamstring strain, R calf strain)

PROBABLE: MF Brian Mullan (L ankle sprain); GK Matt Pickens (R groin strain)

Disciplinary Report:

SUSPENDED AFTER 1 MORE CAUTION: FW Caleb Folan, MF Jeff Larentowicz, DF Drew Moor; MF Wells Thompson

SUSPENDED AFTER 2 MORE CAUTIONS: MF Ross LaBauex; DF Tyrone Marshall; MF Pablo Mastroeni; MF Sanna Nyassi; DF Anthony Wallace

The injury report shows no real changes from last week. Chivas has one player out so they're pretty close to full strength. The Rapids lineup is going to have to be balanced by the fact that this iss the 3rd game of a 5 games in 2 weeks stretch. My guess at the starting XI:

Pickens

Kimura - Wynne - Marshall - Moor

Mullan - Pablo - Larentowicz - LaBauex

Cummings - Nyassi

This is a real guess. Nyassi and Cummings only played a combined 75 minutes in the last two games so I assume they'll start. Moor is going to set the ironman record if he plays so he'll start. After that it becomes a guess based on who's played when and for how long.

Who's Who? Yes, that's the Rapids wearing all white at home. The team is calling it their third kit, even if its just the road kit worn with the home shorts.

Key To Look For: Juan Pablo Angel. He was just traded to Chivas to free up a DP slot for the Galaxy to bring in Robbie Keane. How Chivas will use him and how well he meshes with the team could be a determining factor in how this game plays out.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Cummings. The Rapids gave themselves a bit of breathing room with the win in San Jose last week, and with a CCL game in Honduras on Tuesday something has to break eventually. I think this is a point where the Rapids will settle for a draw and try to rest a bit in preparation for next week.