All The Young Punks

The Rapids will rely on their own Young Punks tomorrow

The relation of the image and title to tomorrow's game is left up to the reader to figure out, though if you've read this blog for more than a year you should already know.  The Rapids are in Norther California tomorrow to face the Earthquakes.  This is essentially a battle for 5th place and a chance for Oscar Pareja to get a 3rd win in a row and/or go 4 games without a defeat for the first time in his coaching career.  Game time tomorrow is late, at 8:30pm, on Altitude.  Big C38 party with post game entertainment and the kebab truck at the Armory.

Injury Report:

OUT:  DF Diego Calderon (R knee Surgery), MF Jaime Castrillon (R knee surgery), GK Matt Pickens (L arm fracture), MF Hendry Thomas (L hamstring strain)
QUESTIONABLE: MF Jaime Smith (R groin strain), DF Marvell Wynne (R quad strain)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED: FW Edson Buddle (Disciplinary Committee action after tackle in Crew game)

Ineligible:

FW Charles Eloundou, DF German Mera - Still waiting on International Transfer Certificates

Good to see the injury report move the right direction this week, with Smith and Wynne being upgraded.  They were both hoping to be able to make the trip to San Jose but neither are going to start.  The E-Quakes ahve 2 players out and 3 questionable so they're in better shape than we are (no surprise).  My guess at our XI:

There was some talk this week about giving Mullan and Powers some rest, but with the Buddle suspension I don't think Pareja will sit them this week.  Pablo could start in Sturgis' place but OP seems to like bringing him off the bench.

Key To Look For: Controlling the flanks.  San Jose likes to run the ball up the sides and get it into their strong forwards.  If we can cut off the supply then the Earthquakes, already finding it hard to score, will have  a much harder time.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Brown.  With Buddle I think we could pull a win, but the lack of a holding forward like Edson will make it difficult to control the game enough to keep San Jose off the board.  The Earthquakes defense is weak though, so Brown will find a way to get on.