Stop me if you've seen this before...
For the 3rd time in 7 games the Rapids face Toronto FC tomorrow out in Commerce City. It will be warmer (but not much) than the 3 degree kickoff we had in February at least. Toronto has been preoccupied with their success in the CCL (which started on that cold night by beating us 2-0) and faces Chivas in the first leg of the final next week. Because of that TFC coach Greg Vanney said this about the Rapids game:
It’s very simple: We’re not prioritizing the Colorado game, there’s no sense even saying we are. Anyone who is healthy and hasn’t been playing a ton will find their way onto the field. I don’t know what my lineup will be. I don’t know what my shape will be.So, we have that going for us at least. Because of Canadian TV kickoff is an odd 1pm tomorrow so the tailgate starts at 10am. Come join us for brunch! Those who can't make it can catch 'Celo and Fleming on Altitude as usual.
Player Availability:
Injuries:
OUT: D Kortne Ford (L MCL sprain); D Marlon Hairston (right knee surgery)
QUESTIONABLE: D Eric Miller (calf); D Danny Wilson (undisclosed); M Shkelzen Gashi (calf injury); M Enzo Martinez (undisclosed)
So, yeah, that's not great. Essentially we're as limited as we were last week in Dallas. I'd look at TFC's availability but from Vanney's comments it sounds like he's just going to run the second team out there anyway (they even made 3 signings from their USL team this week to fill out the roster for this match).
That selection of Serna is largely wishful thinking from me. Colvey did not look good last week so I really hope we see Serna getting a chance. Otherwise I don't think there's going to be any changes from what we saw last week unless Gashi, Martinez, or Wilson are a lot closer to being healthy than it appears. I do think we see Boli as a sub this week though.
Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Mason. Despite the talk of "the greatest team of all time" (which, to be fair, they appear to be backing up in their CCL play) TFC hasn't beaten us in a game we wanted to win since 2015. They haven't beaten us in Colorado in almost 10 years (Aug of '08). I don't see those streaks ending tomorrow with a makeshift Toronto lineup. Toledo is the ref, which means something crazy is likely to happen, and we haven't played 90 minutes of soccer yet this season so I doubt either side gets a clean sheet.
QUESTIONABLE: D Eric Miller (calf); D Danny Wilson (undisclosed); M Shkelzen Gashi (calf injury); M Enzo Martinez (undisclosed)
So, yeah, that's not great. Essentially we're as limited as we were last week in Dallas. I'd look at TFC's availability but from Vanney's comments it sounds like he's just going to run the second team out there anyway (they even made 3 signings from their USL team this week to fill out the roster for this match).
That selection of Serna is largely wishful thinking from me. Colvey did not look good last week so I really hope we see Serna getting a chance. Otherwise I don't think there's going to be any changes from what we saw last week unless Gashi, Martinez, or Wilson are a lot closer to being healthy than it appears. I do think we see Boli as a sub this week though.
Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Mason. Despite the talk of "the greatest team of all time" (which, to be fair, they appear to be backing up in their CCL play) TFC hasn't beaten us in a game we wanted to win since 2015. They haven't beaten us in Colorado in almost 10 years (Aug of '08). I don't see those streaks ending tomorrow with a makeshift Toronto lineup. Toledo is the ref, which means something crazy is likely to happen, and we haven't played 90 minutes of soccer yet this season so I doubt either side gets a clean sheet.
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1 comment:
I agree that Serna should start rather than Colvey, but Hudson seams to favor players he is familiar with.
On the back line, Sjóberg has to be in the middle with Smith on one side and Wynne on the other. I don[t think Axel fits anywhere but the center of the line.
Wonder what's up with Aigner? It wouldn't hurt to have him on the pitch.
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