Juarez In The Knockouts

So this is what moving on looks like.  The Rapids are back in action again tomorrow night. this time being the "away" team for FC Juarez.  Kickoff is at the more normal 7:30 and it's going to be much cooler than expected for an August game.  A nice change.

As far as I know only Kevin Cabral is unavailable tomorrow but it is the third game in 8 days so we may see some rotation.  First I expect Djordje Mihailovic is probably able to start.  But we might see somebody like Rosenberry or Maxso rested.  We're in a position that if we keep winning we get another short rest game, but if we don't we get 3 weeks off.  So at some point rest is going to have to happen so when do you make that switch?

Juarez will play more of a possession game and the Rapids will need to use their press and counter strategy against them.  What we saw for the last 20-30 minutes on Monday night is what we want to see.  Juarez beat Dallas 2-0 and tied St. Louis 1-1, winning the shootout, to win their group.  Two teams that we've beaten by a combined 9-2 three times this season.  Juarez is also, obviously, on the road for their 3rd game but has an extra day of rest over us.

The winner of tomorrow's game will face the winner of the Houston - Toluca match.  Houston will host if they win, Colorado would host Toluca.  The Leagues Cup would decide where a Toluca-Juarez game would be played.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Mihailovic and Bassett.  I think the Rapids might be a better team than Juarez right now and they have the home advantage.  I think that gives them enough to overcome the fatigue, but it will be close.  I wouldn't be shocked to see another shootout.