Rapids Try To Settle Quakes

Colorado Rapids "Shin Spanking" from Brent Ramsey on Vimeo.

Old Rapids commercial.  RIP Mooch. 

Tomorrow the Rapids do something they haven't done in at least 11 years.  Prepare for and play a game after being eliminated from playoff contention.  The last time the Rapids were eliminated prior to their final game day was possibly 2001 (hard to tell with the rest of the season being wiped out due to the 9/11 attacks) and before that the only other time it happened was the inaugural year in 1996.  So tomorrow is somewhat new territory for the team and it will be interesting to see how they approach it.  We've got league-leading San Jose in town and a cold night in the forecast.  Luckily it happens to be chili cookoff night at the tailgate!  Kickoff is at 7 so chili starts at 4.

Injury Report:
OUT: FW Edu (R foot contusion); MF Pablo Mastroeni (headache symptoms); DF Anthony Wallace (L Achilles tear)
QUESTIONABLE: FW Conor Casey (R knee soreness); MF Jaime Castrillon (R knee soreness)
PROBABLE: FW Tony Cascio (L ankle sprain); MF Brian Mullan (L hamstring strain): MF Jamie Smith (groin strain)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT YELLOW: MF Jeff Larentowicz; DF Tyson Wahl
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT 2 YELLOWS: MF Jaime Castrillon; DF Tyrone Marshall; MF Drew Moor; MF Martin Rivero

International Absences:
MF Shane O'Neill (U.S. U-20s)

San Jose is missing 7 players to injury or suspension, including former Rapiud Mehdi Ballouchy who blew out his ACL last week.  Cummings was called up for Jamaica but will not leave until after this game.  Hard to know what Pareja will do with tomorrow's lineup since we're out of contention.  He has talked about getting players who have played a bench role this season some playing time.  My guess at the starting XI.

Cascio - Akpan - Cummings

Thomas - Rivero - Larentowicz

Zapata - Moor - Wynne - Freeman

Pickens

With Casey and Castrillon both questionable and Mullan probable I think we'll see Cummings and the young forwards tomorrow.  Other than that I expect our normal lineup for a top of a table team like San Jose.

Key To Look For: Defense.  This is pretty much the permanent key for the rest of the season.

Prediction: 2-1 loss.  Goal by Cascio.  San Jose is the top of the table for a reason and I don't see us stopping their 3-headed attack.  Their defense is vulnerable though, and with the home advantage and weather I think we can sneak one in.