Rapids In The Big Apple

Statue of  Liberty play?  Wrong football

The Rapids make their first trip ever to New York City (they've played Red Bull in New Jersey many times, obviously) to face NYCFC tomorrow.  City has the second best offense in the league but will be short-handed tomorrow.  An odd start time for this game, 1pm in the afternoon.  My guess is due to Yankee Stadium availability.  Coverage will be on Altitude.

Player Availability:

OUT: D Sean St. Ledger (knee); M Dillon Serna (season ending ACL tear)

QUESTIONABLE: D Mekeil Williams

INELIGIBLE: M Jermaine Jones (after missing All-Star Game)

ONE YELLOW FROM SUSPENSION: D Axel Sjoberg (1 game for good behavior reduction); F Shkelzen Gashi (3 games for good behavior reduction)

Jones is listed as Questionable so odds are he couldn't play even if the new rule making him ineligible wasn't around.  NYCFC is a mess.  They have 4 players suspended, 3 players out injured, another 2 questionable, and their coach is suspended as well.

Starting XI Prediction:

If Burling is ready to go he will hopefully take Watts' spot but my bet is that he gets another week before starting.  I'd prefer to see Pappa starting over Powers but Pablo hasn't been going that way lately.

Prediction: 1-0 win, goal by Gashi.  NYCFC has the worst defense in the league (exacerbated by a 7-0 loss to RBNY) and should be able to score on them.  There's no good reason to expect the Rapids to make it easy but  I think we can get a big road win out of this one with the undermanned opposition.