Who Are These Guys?

The new kids on the block, Charlotte FC, are in town tomorrow for our first look at the expansion side.  They're coming off a 120 minute Open Cup match in mid-week that they won, and a losing streak in league play.  The normal reaction to an expansion team, especially at home, is that this should be an easy 3 points bot the Rapids track record against expansion teams is not great.  In the last 10 years they've only taken maximum points off the expansion team in their inaugural year twice, Cincinnati in 2019 and Montreal in 2012.  That comes with a caveat in that due to the COIVD shutdown the Rapids didn't play the 2020 expansion teams, Nashville and Miami.  In fact they still haven't ever played them.  They'll play Nashville later this year but it will be at least 2023 before we face Miami (unless an extremely unlikely MLS Cup matchup occurs).  Kickoff tomorrow is at 7, tailgate at 4, TV is Altitude.

Injury Report:

OUT: M Ollie Larraz (broken leg)

The media notes haven't been sent out yet, probably due to the Zardes trade, but this is the reported injury list.  No Danny Wilson listed, but we'll see if that changes on the official report.  Reports are that the Rapids don't need to make a roster move to add Zardes and he will be available tomorrow, but I'm sure he won't be starting.

I expect minimal changes this week, knowing that with Zardes coming we might have significant changes in the future.  We're still trying to figure out the best winger combos, but I don't think Lewis or Max are them right now.  If Wilson isn't available I think we may see Moor again.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Rubio and Kaye.  Our defense is still questionable but our offense is better then theirs (and their defense is just as bad as ours).  Home cooking and a expansion team trying to find tis feet is the answer to our losing streak.