Thanksgiving Futbol

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hopefully if you're not spending it with me and 17,000 other members of our Rapids family you're spending it with your family, in whatever shape that takes.  And hopefully they have FOX because our Burgundy Boys are taking on the timbers at 2:30 MT.  This is what the Rapids have always wanted.  #1 seed, home-field advantage, and a shot at MLS Cup.  Time to take advantage of what we earned in the regular season.

No injuries, no discipline, and no international absences.  Everyone on the roster (that wasn't loaned out) is available tomorrow.  We've had 18 days off so everyone is fully rested.  Fraser can choose whatever lineup he wants.

I expect us to us the same 5-4-1/5-2-3 we used against Portland in both our regular season games.  The key to breaking down Portland's defense is their wingbacks.  Galvan was successful against Portland in the last match at home so that's why I see him starting on the left with Barrios using his speed on the right.  Out striker could be any one of Rubio, Lewis, or Badji but I think Diego gets the nod.  Acosta gets the left wing-back spot so Kaye and Price can be in the center.  I expect Rosenberry, as possibly our most reliable defender, to start on the right but it could be Acosta on the right and Esteves on the left (how we lined up in the home game against Portland).  And of course the big 3 along the back line with Will behind them.  Given that the big threat from Portland is Blanco, I'd be half tempted to tell Trusty "you've got one job when the ball is in our half, find Blanco and stick to him like glue".  But that's why I'm writing this and Robin is coaching.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Barrios and Bassett.  Really the key in this game is not to give up an early goal, or really go behind at all.  As long as Portland has to find a goal the game favors us.  They're on short rest and at altitude.  If they get ahead they're going to go into a shell and park the bus, something we've struggled to break this season.  I think we get a first-half goal and then with Portland chasing in the second and getting tired we double the lead.  They get one back to push us the full 90  but we win and wait to see if we host SKC or FSL for a spot in MLS Cup.