Rapids Enter Their Death Zone

In climbing, everything above 26,000 feet is the Death Zone

In 6 competitive games in Seattle (4 in MLS, 2 in USOC). the Rapids have lost 6 times, scoring 4 goals and allowing 16.  Tomorrow the Rapids will enter their Death Zone again as they're in my hometown for a late game.  Both teams are coming off of 4th of July games, Seattle was held to a scoreless draw in Sandy.  Game time tomorrow is an unusually late 9pm MDT and the game will be nationally broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.  If you have access to Direct Kick or MDL you can watch Koz try to lead his new team against his old rivals as Portland plays FSL at 7pm MDT.

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 Jamie Smith (R ACL tear)

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

Wynne is finally off of the in jury report and , sadly, there's no need to list Koz anymore.  So the injury looks as good as its looked all season.  Seattle has 6 players questionable or worse, including Steve Zakuani who's  possible playing time is being kept under wraps by Seattle.  My guess at the starting XI:

Casey - Cascio

Castrillon - Larentowicz - Rivero - Mullan

Zapata - Moor - Wynne - Freeman

Pickens

At this point the only real questions are if Smith is ready to start (I doubt it) and if Cummings or Cascio will start.  With Omar still fighting the ankle injury I'm guessing he gets a rest so he doesn't have to play on Seattle's turf

Key To Look For: A team game.  Every group has to be firing on all cylinders if we're going to win this one.

Prediction: 3-1 loss.  Goal by Casey.  I don't see why this Rapids team will change history and get any points in Seattle.  Seattle hasn't been playing well, but that seems to be typical when we go to Seattle and we always look over-matched there.  Casey will find a way to get a goal, but the team won't be able to control the game and the Sounders will overwhelm our iffy defense.