Play To Win

The album title would also work for the title of this preview.  The Rapids need to cut the crap and play to win in San Jose tomorrow night.  MLSSoccer.com had another one of those articles where the Rapids coach talks about how we just need to focus and we're almost over the hump and that they're keeping the faith, the same sort of thing we've heard from Pareja, and Pablo, and Hudson, and now Fraser for a decade now.  Talk is cheap.  Show it on the field.  If you don't tomorrow, on the easiest road trip in Phase 1, then we might as well call the season over.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 8:30pm and the game is on Altitude, or wherever you choose to find it by other means.

Something tells me Fraser was overall fairly happy with how last week's game went, except for the result.  I think we largely see the same lineup, though I'm predicting Mezquida gets a shot over Shinyashiki, who has not been good as a starter for a few games.  I figure Namli gets put out on the wing again and Bassett gets rewarded for his goal last week with another start.  If Kamara or Benezet are finally healthy then they could start, Kamara replacing Rubio and Benezet possibly replacing Mezquida and putting Namli back in the middle.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Namli.  These are two equal teams, tied on points, with the Rapids being one better in goal differential after San Jose got wrecked by LAFC in midweek.  That will make them tired but they're at home which should balance out.  The Rapids really need to win this game if they want to have a serious chance of a playoff spot, but I don't see them doing that.