Rapids Head To Sunny Portland

I have family visiting this weekend (from Portland of all places) so you're getting the game preview a day early.  A much better forecast is expected in Bridgetown than Portland faced when they opened the season here during Snow Clasico III.  Kickoff this weekend is a late 9pm start on Saturday, with Centennial 38 hosting a big watch party at the Celtic, along with the Denver Gunners on a early pregame for the Arsenal friendly on Monday.  Fleming and 'Celo will have the call on Altitude.

Just a note, unless/until their status changes I'm no longer going to list Kortne Ford and Nana Boateng as unavailable every week.  Just assume they're out and I'll update if that changes.

Injury Report:
OUT: D Deklan Wynne
QUESTIONABLE: Jack Price

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED: M Kellyn Acosta (2 games, 1 for yellow card accumulation, 1 for the red)
ONE YELLOW FROM SUSPENSION: M Jack Price; F Diego Rubio (gets a game knocked off if he's clean this week)

Well, no Acosta and probably no Price is going to make the midfield difficult.  Luckily Lewis is back with the team after the Gold Cup and Nicholson seems to be healthy.

We could see somebody like Blomberg start over Bassett but otherwise I feel pretty good about this guess at the starting XI.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Lewis.  This is a little optimistic and a one goal loss would not be surprising.  Portland has had a busy week though with a game last Sunday and an Open Cup game in LA last night, so they're going to be a bit tired even at home and I think we can steal a point off of them.