The Final Section Of Whitewater Begins

7 games, 5 weeks.  That's what's left of the regular season.  It starts tomorrow at the Dick with the Portland Timbers in town.  The Rapids have 3 games this week, if they were to win all 3 AND have Austin lose a game they would clinch a playoff spot.  That's going to be tough given our results so far this year against the Timbers.  We all remember we started the season in Portland and lost 4-1, and we started the Leagues Cup in Portland and lost 4-0.  Will home cooking and altitude make a difference?  Kickoff tomorrow is at 7:30.

Player Availability:

OUT: D Sam Vines (hamstring),  M Kevin Cabral (arm)

Reports from practice suggest Vines might be out a few more games.  Good thing we got Cannon signed.

I think at altitude and with a 3 game week that Cannon comes off the bench tomorrow and then starts in KC at lower altitude.  Travis gets the start tomorrow.  Larraz/Harris/Lewis get the nod over Ronan and Fernandez.

Prediction: 2-2 draw, goals by Navarro and Bassett.  Portland seems to have our number and coming off the weird schedule we've had I think they steal a point (or worse).  We're better than them, but not by much, and they know how to score on this back line.