Welcoming The Sporks Back To The West

A No-Win Scenario For KC?

SPORting Kc is back in the West this season and this will be the Rapids first shot at them as conference rivals since 2004.  There was a bit of a rivalry between the Rapids and KC in the first decade of MLS but with Kc moving to the East that's been replaced with Dallas (due to owning them in the playoffs) and FSL (due to northern Utah sucking in general).  Game time tonight is 6:30pm and 'Celo and Fleming will have the call on Altitude.

Injury Report:

OUT: M Marcelo Sarvas (knee surgery)

Unavailable:

F Kevin Doyle (transfer paperwork)

That's the best looking player availability report we've had in a while.  KC is missing 5 players including like likes of Opara, Zusi, and Meyers to injury.  My guess at our almost healthy starting XI:

This assumes that everyone who had injuries is healthy enough to start.  If Burch isn't ready Harrington goes back LB and we see Riley.  If Powers mid-week knock is more serious Torres goes to t he middle and we see Sanchez (who also had a mid-week knock) or Serna.  And yes, I think Solignac gets the start.  They've been raving about his fitness and Badji has been bad.

Strategic Consideration: Press the attack.  Due to injuries KC's center backs are depleted.  Take advantage and keep hammering on them.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Solignac.  Yes, our 5th(?) 1-1 draw in a row but I think with a weakened KC back line and strengthened back line for us we can get a goal and hold them to just one.  If we don't score first though it could snowball into a bad loss as we push for an equalizer.