For Joan

For those fans who didn't know Joan Dobrzynksi she was a wonderful woman who became somewhat of a 'team mom' over the years.  She was a regular at training for the Rapids over the last 10+ years and was always in her seat in 108 for the game.  For a number of years when I sat in 108 I had a seat first right in front of her and then nearby.  Joan battled leukemia for the last couple of years and wasn't able to see her Rapids as often, but the team hooked her up with a tablet and Season Pass so she wouldn't miss any of the action.  She passed away in January.  At today's home opener she will be remembered both by the team and her friends in the stands.  Her seat will be left empty this season and in the 38th minute C38 will be raising an overhead tifo in her honor.

The Rapids are back home for the start of the 2024 season, and the former-Rapids coaching staff of Nashville SC, namely Gary Smith, Kosuke Kimura, Steve, Guppy, and Matt Pickens are the opposition.  Nashville has had a busy start to the season with their CONCACAF Champions Cup play,  They rolled through their opposition from the Dominican Republic, 7-0, but their season opener against RBNY was a scoreless draw.  The season kickoff at the Dick is at 7:30, with the undefeated tailgate starting around 4.

Player Availability

QUESTIONABLE: M Ralph Priso (hamstring)

Kimani Stewart-Baynes played for the Canada U-20s on Tuesday night so his availability may be limited, but I wouldn't expect him to be in the gameday roster yet anyway.  For that matter, i wouldn't expect Priso to be in uniform either even if he was healthy, so Armas can have his pick of the roster.

I think we see almost the same XI from last week.  Its too soon to bench Bombito and other than that the only questions are right mid and the 6.  Everyone else is pretty much locked in.  Harris gets rewarded for his goal with another start, but Larraz takes a seat to let Löffelsend get his shot before Diack is ready.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Mihailovic.  I can't predict a win from this team until they show something, but Nashville is tired having a lot of games in their legs.  I think its a rather drab affair but the Rapids actually get one fairly early, give the lead back, and then Nashville sits in a low block and accepts the draw and Colorado continues to be unable to break that down.