Axe The Timbers

The Rapids head out to the great Pacific Northwest to face Portland tomorrow night.  The Timbers are sitting in 5th place, the first playoff spot without a guaranteed home match, so a win by the Rapids could go a long way towards securing a home playoff game for Colorado (depending on other results the Rapids could have over a 0.5 PPG lead for a slot with a home playoff game with a win).  Kickoff tomorrow is at 8pm and TV is what it is.

Injury Report:

QUESTIONABLE: D Lalas Abubakar, D Jeremy Kelly, D Auston Trusty, M Younes Namli, F Diego Rubio

Disciplinary Report:

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: F Diego Rubio, M Collen Warner

TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: D Lalas Abubakar, D Danny Wilson

There hasn't been an injury update since the game on Saturday, so I put everyone who was on the report on Saturday into the Questionable category.  Kelly was out on Friday's report but made the 18, Rubio wasn't listed on Friday but was Out on Saturday, Trusty was Questionable and started, while Abubakar and Namli were Questionable and didn't make the 18.  Rubio might be back and I wouldn't be shocked either way with Abubakar given how concussions go.  I doubt we see Namli get his first appearance on the turf in Portland given he's recovering from angle surgery.

Excuse the formation, the site doesn't have one that reflects what the Rapids now play

Its always tough to guess how much squad rotation we'll get in a 3 game week, especially without an updated injury report.  I'm assuming Abubakar still won't be ready, but Rubio will.  And as mentioned earlier, we won't risk Namli's ankle on the turf (not that he would likely start anyway).  I just can't see Acosta starting, I'd be quite happy if he didn't even make the trip.  We've got to get him some rest.  This is my best guess, but I expect to be wrong.

Prediction: 1-0 win, goal by Rubio.  Portland has one of the worst defenses in the league, but they've won their last 3 games by shutout.  The first against Seattle, impressively, but the other two against Vancouver and Houston who don't have great offenses.  I don't think they can keep the shoutout run going, meanwhile I'm liking our chances at bouncing back from a disappointing draw on Saturday.