Rapids Try To Finish Rough Week On High Note

So that's why we're called the Rapids...

Bad week for the area, I hope my local readers are high and dry.  Remember, reach out to your C38 community if you need anything, we're here to help.  As of right now tomorrow's game is proceeding as scheduled, with kickoff against or MLS Cup foes FC Dallas at 7pm.  The C38 tailgate starts at 4 for anyone who needs a break from the stress of this week.  Its a big one as well as its our annual pig roast.  Right now some of the tailgate team are camped out in the tailgate lot at the Dick roasting two whole pigs for tomorrow's tailgate.  Come for some great pork and hopefully great soccer!

Injury Report:

OUT: DF Davy Armstrong (R ACL surgery); DF Kory Kindle (sports hernia)
QUESTIONABLE: DF Diego Calderon (R knee surgery)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED AFTER ONE YELLOW; DF Shane O'Neill; MF Dillon Powers; MF Nathan Sturgis
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOWS: MF Hendry Thomas

Ineligible:

FW Charles Eloundou - Still waiting on International Transfer Certificate

That's as close to a full roster as we've had this season.  The only player missing that has played any time is Calderon, who came off IR today.  However Armstrong and Kindle were put on the season ending IR list.  Dallas has 4 players out injured, including former Rapid Ugo Ihemelu.  My guess at our XI:

I know Torres played in both Panamanian World Cup Qualifiers during the break but this might be the most important game left on our schedule, given that we're home and Dallas is just 2 points behind our playoff spot.  I think he starts but Brown could go in his place.  The midfield is a bit of a question mark with two of Sturgis, Harris, LaBrocca, Powers, and Rivero starting.  My bet is the last two but we could see some other combinations.

Key To Look For: Focus and Blas Perez.  Its been a rough week in the Denver area and even if the players have come out OK I'm sure they have family and/or friends affected by the flooding.  Also practices have been shifted and I'm sure daily routines have been disrupted.  Getting focused on this game for 90 minutes might be difficult.  Even if they do, they have to deal with Blas Perez who burned us for 2 goals last time Dallas was at the Dick.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Torres.  The crazy week and Perez will be enough to keep the Rapids from getting all 3 points, but they'll get a valuable point and as importantly, keep Dallas from getting 2 points.  Torres opens his account with the Rapids as well.