Forces Gather In Ohio

Ohio During The War of 1812

200 years ago next month the War of 1812 started.  Prior to the U.S. actually declaring war, forces gathered around Dayton, Ohio in May in preparation.  200 years later, just down I-70, the forces of the Rapids will gather in Columbus to face the Crew tomorrow.  Kickoff is at 5:30pm MDT on Altitude.  Official watch parties are scheduled up and down the Front Range (except in Boulder due to CU's graduation ceremonies today) with the primary Denver party at the British Bulldog.

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), MF Jaime Smith (R groin strain), DF Marvell Wynne (R quad strain)

Ineligible:

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

Well everybody is either out or available, that's something, but Castrillon took a step backwards this week and Smith was added to the Out list.  Reportedly Buddle, Brown, Mastroeni, and Rivero all traveled to Columbus yesterday.  The Crew have one player out and one player questionable, so they're in better shape than we are.  My guess at our starting XI:

This is assuming the best case scenario that Brown, Buddle, Mastroeni, and Rivero can all start.  Assuming they can't we'll see some combination of Hill, LaBrocca, Mwanga, and Sturgis in their places.  Obviously the chances for the team go down as the ability for those four to start drops.

Key To Look For: Getting a shutout.  We've only scored more than a goal once this season, and the Crew have been shut out twice in their last three games.  If we can keep a goose egg on the scoreboard then we have a shot at all 3 points.  Otherwise we'll have to hope for a draw.

Prediction: 1-0 win if at least 3 of the 4 start, goal by Brown.  0-0 draw otherwise.  I think we can keep Columbus off the board but I'm not sure we can score unless we have at least two of the three attacking players starting.