Rapids Hope To Send Sounders Home With A Bang!

The final game of this 7 games in 22 days is tonight, and none too soon.  Everyone is going to need a rest after this one and it will start with the annual fireworks show at the Dick after the game.  Expect a massive crowd tonight because of that.  Kickoff is at 7 like normal so the tailgate will start at 4.  As always I have a better offer as I celebrate my 19th wedding anniversary so I'll be joining the rest of you Altitude watchers for this one.

We know Burling will miss this one with his injury.  The good news is that there's a rumor that SJoberg will be available.  Powers, Gashi, and Gatt are also questionable but I wouldn't be surprised to see some of them in the 18.  The Sounders are down at leasst 6 players between suspensions, injuries, and national team callups, including Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan.  Harry Shipp is also questionable for them.

Presumably Pablo will rollout the 4-4-2 again with likely Doyle and Badji up top like Saturday.  Short rest but when things are clicking like they were against Houston you don't want to make any changes.  The interesting thing will be to see which two of Boateng, Saied, and Azira are in the center of midfield.  I'm guessing Boateng gets a rest since he's returning from injury still.  If Sjoberg can start he'll take Miller's place in the center allowing some more flexibility on the wings.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Doyle and Saied.  I'm feeling optimistic with our normal 4th of July bump.  Seattle has more rest than we do but they're at altitude and are not a good road team.  With their absences I think we can pull what some would see as an upset.