Clampdown

The True Clash

The Rapids defense is going to have to Clampdown on the team formally known as the Clash order to get a win tomorrow night.  Our first mid-week home game of the season will probably result in a smaller but hopefully no less vocal crowd.  Despite that the tailgate will go on as normal with a 5:30 start.  No special theme for this one, just a good time.  For those of you unable to make it the game is on Altitude with kickoff at 7:30.

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

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

The injury report improved significantly this week.  I don't think we'l;l see Wynne and Smith is still waiting on his green card paperwork but I expect Cummings and Casey will get playing time.  San Jose is missing 3 players to injury and starting GK Jon Busch to suspension so they're at a similar strength to us.  My guess at the starting XI:

Cascio - Casey - Mullan

Castrillon - Larentowicz - Rivero

Freeman - Marshall- Moor - Kimura

Pickens

Getting closer to our best starting XI.  I don't see Pareja making sweeping changes for this one, he'll stick with the majority of the lineup that's gotten us this far.  Players like Hill, Akpan, and Zapata are options but I don't think he'll use them.

Key To Look For: Defense, defense, defense.  San Jose is tied for the second highest goals in the league and Wondolowski is tied for the scoring lead.  We have to be able to fix our defensive issues.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Casey.  A high scoring team on a ton a rest versus a low scoring team coming off a game Saturday.  The odds are against us in this one and I haven't seen anything from this team recently that makes me think we can overcome them.  I've I'm feeling optimistic a 2-2 draw is a possibility but I think we've use up our share of luck lately.