Celebrating My Irish Heritage With A Win?

Ruins of Dunamase Castle, Portlaoise Ireland - Birthplace of my great-great-great grandfather John Maxwell

A special St. Patrick's Day evening match this week with Sporting KC   Get your old school green Rapids gear out and remember past Irish players like Kevin Doyle, not to mention GM Padraig Smith, as we look for our first win on the season.  KC comes in off the back of a big CCL match on Thursday while the Rapids are well-rested after their game in Seattle.

A bit of news today, Kofi Opare and Clint Irwin were loaned to the Switchbacks for the weekend while Andre Rawls was called back up to the Rapids.  From all reports this is to give the two of them a chance to get some fitness after some injuries and they'll both be back with the team by the game in Dallas next week.

Game time on Sunday is the normal 7pm kickoff, so the tailgate starts at 4.  I'm sure the Irish celebration will be in full-swing by about 4:05.  If you can't make it the game is on Altitude with Fleming and 'Celo on the call.

Injury Report:

OUT: D Kortne Ford

QUESTIONABLE: D Tommy Smith, M Sam Nicholson

Getting healthier and we have Sjoberg back.  The team was ok with sending Opare on loan so I'm hoping that portends a Tommy Smith start on Sunday.

If Smith can't go I assume we'll see Wynne in his spot.  The midfield players I'm confident in, the positions less so.  As we saw last week Hudson could have them moved around a bit.  Despite Vines being healthy I think Serna continues to start if/until he shows he's not up to it.

Prediction: 2-2- draw, goals by Kamara and Acosta.  KC played a first team lineup in their CCL match so we should see either some rotation or some tired legs by the end of the game.  That said, I'm still not convinced our defense will be able to keep them off the board.  This could be a very open game with the ball going from end to end.  I think we get a point out of this but we'll still be looking for our first win.