Rapids Face Wiz In 20th Anniversary Match

Opening graphic on the broadcast 20 years ago tomorrow night

20 years ago tomorrow this wild ride we call the Rapids got started with a game in KC against the then Kansas City Wiz.  The Wiz would become the Wizards and then Sporting KC while the Rapids would stay the Rapids but go from green and white to black and blue and then burgundy and light blue.  I can't claim to have watched that opening match as I didn't start following MLS until two years later but those of you who want to see it, its now uploaded on the Sporting KC webpage.  Game time tomorrow night is 6:30pm on Altitude 2.  Break out your green jerseys and celebrate 20 years!

Player Availability:

OUT: D Marlon Hairston (hamstring); D Sean St. Ledger (knee injury); D Jared Watts (knee); F Kevin Doyle (shin)

SUSPENDED: M Jermaine Jones

UNAVAILABLE: D Joseph Greenspan (Navy duty); D Mekeil Williams (visa issues)

KC has four players out and 3 questionable.  For the Rapids its just what we expected.  At least this is the last time we'll have to see Jones name on that list for his playoff suspension.  There's a chance Williams could show up in KC but last report is that he was still waiting on the Trinidadian government's paperwork.

Starting XI Prediction:

Due to our thin roster there's really no choice for the back 5.  For the other 6 I expect Pablo to stick with the same group and just run them into the ground if he has to.  With really only four options, all midfielders (Badji, C.Doyle, Pfeffer, Serna), and the midfield being our strongest group there's not a whole lot of changes Pablo can make right now.

Prediction: 1-0 loss.  Short rest, a team that has no offense, and a decent KC team.  I just don't see a result here.  Our defense is fairly stout so I don't think they're going to hammer us but I do expect a scoreless loss.