Bring On The Rocky Mountain Cup!

The first of three matches (with the first two in Sandy this year) in the 2018 Rocky Mountain Cup is upon us.  The trip out to 3.2 beer land is a highlight(?) of the season, and this might be the year we have a chance to get a win, something we haven't done since 2006.  Kickoff tomorrow is 7pm and for those of us who haven't made the trip 'Celo and Fleming have the call on Altitude.  C38 will be gathering in a few places on the Front Range but the major watch party will be at the Celtic.

Player Availability: 
Injuries:
OUT: D Kortne Ford (L MCL sprain); D Marlon Hairston (right knee surgery)
QUESTIONABLE: D Danny Wilson (undisclosed)
Discipline:
SUSPENDED AFTER NEXT YELLOW CARD: M Jack Price

Also Nikki Jackson has been loaned to the Switchbacks so he'll be staying in Colorado for their game tomorrow night.  FSL has 3 players out and 4 questionable.

Hudson hasn't shown much desire to tinker with what's worked so I think it might take a while before Boli, Aigner, and Gashi get into the starting XI.  I'm hopeful that the Colvey/Serna swap in the first half last week showed that Serna needs to start in Hairston's absence.  The rest is the same as we've seen for a few games.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Badji and Gashi.  Honestly, as long as we don't drop the points in stoppage time, I won't be too upset with a draw as it guarantees that the Cup will be up for grabs at the home game in August.  That said, if we're going to get a win at Rio Tinto, this might be our best chance so far.  FSL is giving up 2 goals a game while barely scoring over 1, while the Rapids are averaging just under 2 a game while giving up 1.  Even with being the road team those stats are solidly in our favor.

And a reminder of what we're playing for: