Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Wounded Rapids Head For Nation's Capital

Our finest moment in DC


After what felt like a extremely long 10 days off Colorado is back in action tomorrow night in DC.  The center of power hasn't been kind to the Rapids historically, with last year producing only our 3rd ever win in the District.  This season a beat up burgundy side makes the trip with 4 major starters unlikely to start.  Game time tomorrow is 5:30pm on Altitude and the viewing party is at the British Bulldog.

Injury Report:
OUT: FW Omar Cummings (L ankle sprain); MF Ross LaBauex (sports hernia); MF Pablo Mastroeni (headache symptoms); DF Anthony Wallace (L Achilles tear); DF Marvell Wynne (R hamstring strain)
QUESTIONABLE: MF Jamie Smith (R ACL tear)
PROBABLE: FW Conor Casey (L Achilles tear)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT 2 YELLOWS: MF Jaime Castrillon; MF Jeff Larentowicz

Ugly injury report for the Rapids.  Casey is not expected to start and he saves his strength probably for Saturday's home game.  DC is missing 5 or 6 players as well so its going to be a battle of the walking wounded.  My guess at our starting XI:

Cascio - Hill
Castrillon - Larentowicz - Rivero - Mullan
Zapata - Marshall - Moor - Freeman
Pickens

I've shifted the lineup to the 4-4-2 the team seems to be using.  The Post this week said Hill and Marshall were likely to get the starts for the injured Cummings and Wynne.  I suppose Pareja could rest some starters  for the game on Saturday but after 10 days off I doubt it.

Key To Look For: Hill and Cascio up top.  That's a pretty young/inexperienced starting forward duo.  Are they going to be able to create the chances we need?

Prediction: 1-1 draw.  Goal by Casey.  Yeah exactly the same as I predicted for the Dallas game.  This could become a shootout but I don't have that much confidence in the offenses.

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