Colorado Looking To Improve On Playoff Result

Last time we were in Minnesota the Rapids crashed out of the 2020 playoffs on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline.  Tomorrow they go in as possibly the favorite (though the current betting line favors United) but certainly with the expectation we can get a better result.  If you are confused about when this game is happening I'm not surprised as its been moved at least twice.  The game was announced a couple of months ago as having been moved to be on ESPN, then a couple weeks ago it was announced to have moved forward an hour to 2-,m MT and will only be on Altitude.  I think once tomorrow's World Cup qualifiers got set ESPN had to make the change to not overlap and they didn't have room for it.  This was so surprising that Richard Fleming, assuming he would have the weekend off since the game was on ESPN, scheduled a trip for him and his son to go to Seattle and watch the Sounders.  So he will not be on the call tomorrow, which might be the first ever game he's missed since he arrived.  I'm not sure who will be filling in.  Again, kickoff is 2pm tomorrow and the game is on Altitude, unfortuantely.

Disciplinary Report:

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: D Lalas Abubakar, F Diego Rubio

TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION:  D Auston Trusty, D Danny Wilson, M Braian Galvan

You'll see one name surprisingly missing from that list.  Lucas Esteves is not suspended for the game after his red card last week as the Independent Review Panel (IRP) reversed his red card.  They also reveres the red card on Minnesota's Reynoso, which is arguably a bigger impact.  I'm surprised they reversed either one, but I do wonder if they felt like it needed to be both or neither to be "fair".

I was trying to wait to post this until the Rapids sent out their game notes with any injury updates but nothing's hit the inbox yet.  If it does I'll update the listing.  Reports by Matt Pollard is that Yarbrough practiced the last two days and is probable for the match, crossing my fingers that he plays.

EDIT: Injury report is out

Injury Report:

QUESTIONABLE: GK William Yarbrough

International Absences:

USA: M Kellyn Acosta

CANADA: M Mark-Anthony Kaye

Given the absence of Acosta and Kaye I expect we'll see this 5-4-1/3-4-3 formation that Fraser has been tinkering with this season instead of the 4-3-3.  I expect that in possession Barrios and Namli will push forward of Rubio and Galvan (or possibly Esteves) and Rosenberry will push up into the midfield.  In defense we'll see Barrios and Namli drop back more into the midfield and the wing backs playing back with the central 3 defenders.  There still really isn't a solution for what burned us in the playoff match as there's not much in the center of the park with our Nats out.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Barrios.  Minnesota is missing more than we are to callups, which will help, but I think our losses are probably more critical.  I'm still concerned we don't match up well with Minnesota in midfield though.  If we can get out of this game with a point and without Abubakar picking up a yellow that will suspend him for the Rocky Mountain Cup match next week I'll feel ok about the result.