Classic Rivalry Renewed

Into the 20-teens Galaxy-Rapids was the most played competitive fixture between MLS teams when you included the regular season, playoffs, and USOC.  A remnant of the two teams being the only ones to have played in the Western Conference all (now) 31 seasons.  The Rapids struggles since their Cup win in 2010 has meant less playoff and USOC meetings and the fixture is no longer top of the list but its still one of the most contested.  Tomorrow they do it again at the Dick, and we're back to the normal 7:30pm kickoff, which means the tailgate starts at 4.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zack Steffen

Steffen picked up a shoulder injury this week so Nico Hansen will get the start.  Ali Fadal is off the injury list but he's also been loaned to R2.

The old "if it ain't broke" move here, with Hansen coming in for Steffen as the only change.  I'm off the Ronan bandwagon now, I really thought he was going to feature more but its clear that the midfield, for now, is going to be Aaronson, Hamzat, and Atencio.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Navarro.  I think LA is a better team than us, but this is the Galaxy's 5th game in 2.5 weeks and their first league game on the road.  I think that's enough early in the season, at altitude, that they'll be feeling it by late in the 2nd half.  That will allow the Rapids to get an equalizer and/or keep the Galaxy from pushing for a winner.