Toluca For The Second Year In A Row

Colorado has made it to the Round of 16 and waiting their is a friend from last year's group stage, Toluca.  Last year they came to the Dick and beat us 4-1.  The game was 1-0 at half and up until the 78th minute, but then we leaked 3 goals late (including a penalty) while Rubio scored a penalty for us in stoppage time.  The Rapids were never really in that game despite the low score most of the way.

Toluca finished 3rd in the table in this spring's Clausura and is off to a hot start in the Apertura, with 2 wins and 2 draws in the first 4 games.  Their a team at a higher level right now than Leon and Juarez.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 8pm (not 7:30) and once again we're the road team in our own stadium.  This is also not part of the season ticket package so you'll need to buy a ticket.

Colorado will be without Cabral of course and likely without Bombito.  He was held out of practice today with that same hamstring tweak that kept him out of the game on Friday night.  Otherwise everyone else is expected to be available.  This is the 4th game in 12 days and Vines, Rosenberry, Navarro, and Maxso have played all 270 minutes of the prior 3.  You have to figure a rest is coming up for some of them.  Maybe Anderson or Travis for one of the outside backs tomorrow night?  I doubt Maxso sits if Bombito isn't available.  Bassett has played all but 15 minutes, and Ronan and Lewis have gone 60+ minutes in all 3 games as well.  I wouldn't be shocked to see Larraz start and Ronan come off the bench against Toluca.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Abubakar.  I think this is where the Rapids run ends.  We won't be pushovers like last season but our lack of depth is going to bite us late when we're tired or have subbed in players who aren't up to Toluca's level.  They get the winning goal in the second half and despite a valiant effort we can't take it to penalties.