Potential USOC Final Preview

The Rapids enter their post-Rafa era with a trip to Colunbus tonight.  Both teams are still alive in the Open Cup and if they both win their semis the Crew would host a rematch of tonight's tilt in the final.  That said based on current form both teams might be considered the underdog in their semi.  The road has not been a great place for the Rapids but nothing has been good for the home side, can we figure out how to get our first win away from home since May?  Kickoff is at 5:30/

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Nico Hansen (leg), GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), M Ali Fadal (head), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Hamzat Ojediran (yellow card suspension), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

Along with this none of the trio we signed this week are available as they're waiting on their visas.  So a thin squad heading to B1G country.

Assuming no other availability surprises the only question seems to be the winger opposite Minoungou.  Yapi has already been confirmed to be getting a shot up top so our options are players like Harris, KSB, or pushing one of our center players wide like Fredrick.  I went with Harris but that's a guess.

Prediction: 0-0 draw.  Both these teams have offenses that are struggling but Colorado has a top-tier defense while Columbus is in the bottom quarter of goals allowed.  I just don't see where the goal is going to come from for the Rapids but if there is a winner I could see the Rapids getting a smash and grab 3 points.

A Different Kind Of Game Preview, Of Course Its The RMC

As I was getting ready to put this game preview together Tom Bogert broke the news that the Rapids and St. Louis are close on a deal that would send Rafa Navarro to StL for about $12 million.  So close that he followed up that report with the possibility that it gets done before the game tomorrow.  If he's reporting that we're really at the brass tacks stage and the teams are just negotiating about the exact price and timing.  We have to assume Rafa won't be here by the Columbus game next week.

This is a ridiculous move that shows how unserious this club is, and its particularly trash if they agree to make the move before we play the Rocky Mountain Cup decider tomorrow night.  Honestly, Smith should be fired on the spot if he agrees to the deal before 10pm tomorrow night.  Quite simply you can't sell our best player hours before a rivalry match.  You just simply can't.  It shouldn't even be in consideration.

Really, the Rapids can't sell Rafa and be thought as a serious club who wants to win.  Going into this window we were (and are) two games away from our first major trophy in 16 years.  Then we sold our best player in Lucas Herrington.  Now that was a deal they could in no way pass up.  That's understandable.  The Front Office also gets credit for having Loic Williams queued up and ready to step in, and had him here as soon as he was able to so he could start when the season kicked back off.

This isn't the case here.  Farchi is rumored to sign, but isn't done yet.  The clock on his paperwork doesn't even start until that signing, and he can't practice with the team until the paperwork is done.  We are 19 days out from the USOC semifinal.  BEST case scenario Farchi gets his paperwork in time for the semifinal to be the first game he's available, with almost no practice time with the team.  Anyone else (who isn't American) is probably beyond the semifinal now.

So you're putting the team in a huge hole with the hope it pays off down the road.  In other words the same old Rapids.  But in this case it likely costs you a shot at a major trophy, something this team desperately needs.  You can't make this move, but they are clearly going to.  This is not a serious club.

So on to tomorrow's match.  The Rapids must win to retain the Rocky Mountain Cup.  Their only players out are Diop, Steffen, and KDP, all the long-term injuries.  We are in the best shape we've been in in some time, but we may not have Rafa.  Meanwhile FSL has 8 players out or questionable.  All the factors are on our side, but we might blow it up in the next 24 hours.  And we have certainly managed to self-destruct in thise games even when we're favored anyway.

Before this Rafa news I was thinking a 2-1 win but I was hesitant to go out on that limb given our history in the Rocky Mountain Cup.  If Rafa plays that's still possible.  If Rafa is sold before that, or held out due to the deal, then I think a 0-0 draw and a loss of the RMC is a real possibility.

Rapids Go For 4 In A Row In Sunny San Diego

Colorado is looking for a clean sweep of the three game week tomorrow night as they go into San Diego as potentially the favorite in the match.  The home side is .500 since the break with a draw sandwiched between a win and a loss on either side.  The first of those losses came in Commerce City as we came out of the World Cup break.  Meanwhile the Rapids have only lost once in those games, though it was the only road game of the group.  Kick off is at 8:#0pm and 'Celo will be on the Spanish call if you get tired of whichever English announcer who doesn't know the Rapids Apple TV throws on the game.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Miguel Navarro (concussion), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Kimani Stewart-Baynes (lower leg), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

The only change is the addition of Miguel Navarro in concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the head Wednesday night.  With Travis also out its likely Kosi Thompson will be pressed into service at left back.

Also Rafael Navarro, Hamzat Ojediran, and Kosi Thompson are all one yellow card from suspension.  Picking one up tomorrow night would leave them missing the Rocky Mountain Cup decider next weekend.  If it were up to me I'd sit Rafa tomorrow but my guess is that Wells won't see it the same way (plus he's already played 180 minutes this week).

Wells seems to prefer Atencio over Ojediran, and Hamzat came off hobbled on Wednesday.  Plus with the yellow card threat I don't think he starts.  I have no idea on the wingers, those are just guesses.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Navarro.  San Diego has a better offense but a worse defense, and they're at home.  With as many minutes as we've put on our legs I don't see us maintaining the shutout streak.  We are a better team than them though and we hold out for the point.

Rapids Start a SoCal Doubleheader

California dreaming for Colorado as tomorrow night LAFC comes to Commerce City before the Rapids head out to the coast to play San Diego on Saturday.  The home game is definitely the tougher of the two, 4th overall in the West on PPG but they've struggled a little bit recently with only one regulation win in the last five games (two shootout wins in the Leagues Cup though),  Colorado's hasn't allowed a goal while at full strength since the break but only scored one goal from the run of play against a full strength side.  So both teams are looking to get on a bit of a roll.  Kickoff is at 7:30.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Josh Atencio (yellow card accumulation), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Kimani Stewart-Baynes (lower leg), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

No surprises there.  Both Ojediran and Rafa are one card from suspension as well.  If they pick up a card tomorrow they sit for the trip to San Diego.  If they pick up a card in California...they sit for the Rocky Mountain Cup.  I'm just saying, I'm not going to hate it if either of them get yellows tomorrow.

Its always hard to figure out how Wells is going to rotate the team on a 3-game week.  With Atencio suspended I assume Ojediran will start and I'm guessing Maziz will.  Otherwise I'm mainly guessing here.

Prediction: 1-0 loss.  Actually a scoreless draw is a possibility here.  LAFC has only one win in eight tries at the Dick, and that was in 2018.  But they are a better team than us and I'm not yet convinced we can score against better teams.  I think LAFC finds a way to get the 3 points.

OG Matchup

The KC Wiz, er, Kansas City Wizards, er, Sporting Kansas City are in town for tomorrow night's matchup between two original teams.  Our I-70s rivals are in contention for the Wooden Spoon this season and this is a game we must take advantage of.  Before the match the team is going to have a short celebration to honor Keegan Rosenberry's 200th appearance last game.  The ceremony will start at 7:15 with kickoff at the normal 7:30 (or thereabouts).

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Kimani Stewart-Baynes (lower leg), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

No surprises there.  The one surprise is the name that's not there, Youssef Maziz.  Our new midfielder got his visa earlier this week and is eligible for selection.  He was not allowed to train with the team until the paperwork came through though, he was only allowed to do individual fitness and skill training.  That makes it very unlikely that he starts but I wouldn't be surprised to see him get 15-20 minutes if the game state allows it.

Also Atencio, Rafa Navarro, and Ojediran are all one yellow card from suspension.

This seems straight forward.  While I would start Yapi its clear that Wells doesn't rate him as a starter.  Minoungou and Sealy seem to be the favored winger options.  Everyone else is fairly self-explanatory.

Prediction: 2-0 win, goals by Navarro and Yapi (off the bench).  There's really no excuse to not wi this game by at least 2.  KC is a horrible team and we need to show we can handle teams like this.  Any sort of struggle and its a good sign we should just focus on the Rocky Mountain and Open Cups for the rest of the season.

A Must Win On Colorado Day

Unless we have an early Rocky Mountain Cup match in the future this will be the only time Colorado Day is a must win but it is this year.  Austin FC is in town and they are the second worst team in the West (but better than 4 teams in the East because the bottom of the East is a trash fire).  This needs to be an unquestionable 3 points for the Rapids or we'll be left playing for the Rocky Mountain and Open Cups because the playoffs will be a lost cause.  Kickoff is at 7:30.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Rob Holding (red card), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Kimani Stewart-Baynes (lower leg), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

No notable surprises there.  Maziz was signed as expected today but is waiting on his paperwork (visa) before he can play.

The defense seems to set itself, maybe Thompson at RB instead of Cannon.  The real question marks are which two wingers get a shot because none of them have been impressive in this run of no firepower.

Prediction: 1-0 Colorado, goal by Rafa.  I think we get the 3 points, but its not as convincing as it should be.  Defensively we're solid but we still fail to make enough chances despite playing one of the worst defenses in the league.

USOC Semifinal Preview

We're off to the far side of Missouri to get a sneak peak at our U.S. Open Cup semi opponents in September as the Rapids play St. Louis tomorrow night.  StL came into the Dick back in May and stole a 1-0 win on a goal both Holding and Herrington would want back.  The Rapids need to figure out if they can fix their offense, the last time we put a crooked number on the scoreboard it was on the fully working scoreboard at Empower Field.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 6:30 MT.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

No change on the injury front, but we get Miguel Navarro and Wayne Fredrick back from suspension.  Fredrick signed a new contract extension today, taking him through the 2029-2030 season with a club option for an additional season.  We'll have to wait until the salary drop in September to know what kind of raise he got.

I'm not sure who will get the start on the wings, but otherwise I feel good about this lineup.  Other than Herrington everyone gets a week off after this, so going back-to-back shouldn't be a problem for anyone.  I think Williams gets rewarded with another start and Herrington cycles in for Holding.  Wells had a lot of good things to say about Kosi Wednesday night so I see him starting again too.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Rafa.  I can't predict the Rapids getting more than 1 until they prove they can.  Meanwhile St. Louis improve during the break and I can't see them being shut out at home.  Our defense is strong enough to keep them from running us over, but I don't see 3 points coming.

2026 Part 2

Now what are we doing again?  Oh, right, MLS season.  We've already spent enough time looking back so lets just look forward now.  The Rapids need to rack up points in July and August before the schedule gets hard again in September, and that starts tomorrow night with San Diego in town.  Colorado has not made many changes during the World Cup break, Manyoma, Murphy, and Ronan has left (Murphy will be back tomorrow night with SD) and Loic Williams has joined but that's it.  San Diego has been a bit more active.  This is 12th vs. 13th in the table so both sides are looking at this like 3 points they need to jump start their season.  Kickoff tomorrow night at the Dick is at the traditional 7:30pm.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Miguel Navarro (yellow card accumulation), D Jackson Travis (ankle), M Wayne Fredrick (red card suspension), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), F Mamadou Billo Diop (knee)

Yuck, though not surprising.  We knew Steffen and KDP had surgeries and would be out long term.  Both M. Navarro and Frederick played dumb last game (imagine yelling at the official who was in the center for England-Argentina and thinking you were going to get away with it) to get their suspension.  Billo Diop was unlikely to ever play a big role in this game, even if we weren't expecting his injury.  Travis is the one that really hurts since M. Navarro is also out.

We don't really know how the break went but I expect this to be close.  I don't think Williams gets the start but he should be on the bench.  If Wells is uncomfortable with Cannon at LB we could see a 3-man back line with Williams starting and a couple of wingbacks (Minoungou and Thompson for example).

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Rafa.  Going to be a lot of rust out there and neither of these teams were good before the break.  A draw isn't great but it would be (barely) acceptable given the time off and the player availability.  A loss would be fairly disastrous but a win is certainly not out of the question.

Final Game Before The Break

This long run of 18 games in  just under 13 weeks ends tomorrow with our final match before the two month World Cup break.  Tomorrow our old friends Dallas are in town and are more rested then we are, not having a midweek game.  Regardless they've struggled against us in recent years so hopefully that continues.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 7:30pm and there's a fireworks show after the match.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zack Steffen (upper body), Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder)

Coach Availability:

OUT: HC Matt Wells (yellow card suspension)

Yeah, the numerous yellow cards to the bench have caught up with us.  Wells has to sit out because of them and can't be involved in pregame or halftime.  I'm sure he'll set the lineup but after that its on the shoulders of assistant coach Ally Harris.

Miguel Navarro is also one yellow from suspension.

I have a feeling hat a lot of guys are going to be running on fumes after the high of Wednesday night.  We need one more game out of Rafa and Herrington (and lets hope its not the last game in burgundy black for either of them) as they're irreplaceable but I wouldn't be surprised if they don't go 90.  Everyone else is going to be on heavy rotation I expect.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Navarro.  I almost put down a 2-2 draw, if the teams were coming off equal rest I'd like our chances to get a result here but with the added minutes I don't think we'll be able to keep up.

Quarterfinals

Well this is new.  This happens to be the 2700th entry in this blog and its the first time we're talking about a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal.  The last time the Rapids made it this far was August of 2007, about 6 months before I opened this place up (USL Seattle slaughtered us 5-0 up in the PacNW).  It took a long time to get back here but this time we get to host. Kickoff tomorrow is at 8pm and remember extra-time and PKs are possible late tomorrow night.

That's the upside.  The downside is that we host red-hot San Jose.  Well, they were red-hot when they win their Round of 16 match and were drawn against us, having won all their USOC games and 9 of their first 10 league matches  They then drew their next two games and have lost their last two after that.  This has roughly coincided with an injury to star striker Timo Werner.  He was OUT for their game on Saturday and the word is that he was expected back in late-May but the 'Quakes are being cautious about rushing him back.  That suggests he won't start tomorrow but might be available off the bench?

There's no update for the Rapids on the injury front but I think its a safe bet Steffen is still out and we know KDP is.  Harris was out on Saturday due to illness so hopefully he'll be available.  If so then, barring any injury in training, Steffen and KDP should be the extend of the injury report.  Kosi Thompson will be suspended after his red card against the Switchbacks however.

So the starting XI will really come down to who's rested and who isn't.  I expect Wells to try to get one more game out of Rafa's legs, and Aaronson has been rotated a bit.  Yapi and holding didn't start in Sandy so I'd expect them in, and Herrington is young and we'll probably try to get 90 more minutes out of his legs.  Hansen in net.  The other 5 though?  Anyone's guess.

The winner tomorrow will move to the semifinal in September to face St. Louis, who just beat Houston in penalty kicks.  If its the Rapids they will host the semifinal.  If its the Earthquakes they'll travel to Missouri.  The winner of the semifinal will travel to the winner of Orlando at tomorrow's Columbus-NYCFC match for the final in October.

As always, no prediction for a USOC game.  Its just too hard to tell what the focus will be.  Though that will change should we win as the semifinal and any potential final are clearly going to be a top priority.

This Needs No Introduction

But we're going to do it anyway.  We all know what tomorrow is, the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup.  We're over in Sandy at KKK Slogan Field for this one (I had to resist the urge to use this as the header picture).  A reminder of the rules.  Most points, most goals, then its essentially a tie and the current holders retain the Rocky Mountain Cup.  That's us this year.  So in practice that means a one goal loss or better means we just have to win the home game in August to retain the Cup.  Anything better than that just makes the job easier.  Kickoff for the rivalry clash is at 7:30pm.

Good luck to the travelling C38 support that leave the Dick at 6:30am tomorrow.  Its never fun having to enter the dark place.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zack Steffen (upper body), M Alex Harris (illness), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE: M Josh Atencio (concussion)

Miguel Navarro is still one yellow from suspension.  Atencio travelled with the team to Utah and will be available but I wouldn't be shocked if he didn't start.

Not sure on the wingers or the right back, but the rest feels fairly solid.  I do think Yapi will start but we could push back into that 2-striker formation too.  Regardlss some guys need to dig deep for this on and on Wednesday for the Open Cup.  If there's nothing left for Dallas in a week, so be it.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Navarro.  FSL is, sadly, a better team than us right now and they're at home.  But I do think Wells has the team in the right mentality to not get blown out in Sandy like we've seen far too many times.  Rafa gets an important goal to keep it close and we hang on with everything to get out with just a one goal deficit and et up for a win or go home type game in August.

Rapids Start Tough Two Game Road Trip

Before we get started, the MLS Players Union annual spring salary release was today.  Given that we have 4 games in the next 11 days I'm not going to get around to covering it in detail until we reach the World Cup break, but it is out there.

Now, on to tomorrow's game.  Colorado makes the trip to the Land Of A Thousand Lakes to take on Minnesota United.  The Rapids are on a 5 game winless streak while United is coming off a home draw against Austin.  With a win Minnesota could jump to 3rd in the West, depending on other results, while a Colorado win could get them back into a playoff position.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zack Steffen (upper body), D Rob Holding (red card suspension), M Josh Atencio (concussion), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Hamzat Ojediran (yellow card suspension)

Also Miguel Navarro is one yellow card from suspension.  Some tough decisions are going to have to be made tomorrow.  With two big matches in the week after it I think the Rapids should punt on this match and focus on the Rocky Mountain Cup this weekend and Open Cup next Wednesday.

Unlike what I said above I expect Wells to go for it as best he can.  The fullbacks could change but the rest feels fairly solid for the XI.

Prediction: 1-0 loss.  Hard to see the team getting much of anything in this one, though Minnesota doesn't have a high-powered offense.  It will likely play out similar to Saturday, except without the win (and hopefully without the red card).

Dynamo, Rapids, Running Out Of Gas

Before we get started there was some sad news from Centennial 38 and the Rapids today.  Ryan Sabin, one of C38's tailgate crew, passed away after a medical incident at the Open Cup game Wednesday night.  His Rapids family will miss him terribly and my thoughts are with his loved ones.  The club will wear black armbands to remember him tomorrow and there will be a moment of silence before the next home match on the 9th.

After 7 games the Rapids reach the end of this 3 weeks of 3 games with a trip to Houston.  Houston's trip to Commerce City started this sequence but the good news is that they've played just as many games as we have, and are equally beat up.  This is the last *scheduled* game between the teams in the regular season, but both are in the Open Cup quarterfinals and if both win in 2.5 weeks then the Dynamo would make one more trip to Colorado for the semifinal.  Both teams went 120 minutes in their Round of 16 match on Wednesday (though the Dynamo didn't need PKs) so they're equally tired at this point.  Kickoff tomorrow is ay 6:30pm.

Player Availability:

OUT: M Wayne Fredrick (leg), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Connor Ronan (leg)

QUESTIONABLE: M Paxten Aaronson (leg), M Georgi Minoungou (leg)

Yeah, that's a lot of midfield missing.  The Dynamo have 3 players out, including Vines, and one questionable.  Both teams are limping into this one.

That's every midfielder that's played at least 90 minutes this season and who's not on the injury report.  Maybe Wells goes to a 5-3-2 or something but my bet is that it will look something like this.  We need the guys like Herrington and Navarro to dig deep one more time, though if the game gets out of hand either way they'll be quick subs.  I know I said I wanted Hansen to be the starter in net, but with him plying 120 minutes plus a shootout on Wednesday and with a home game next week, I think its probably best to make that change against St. Louis in front of a friendly crowd.

Prediction: 2-2 draw.  Goals by Navarro and Yapi.  We beat this team 6-2 three weeks ago at home, but we were healthy and rested.  Neither is the case now.  I think we're a better team than them but I think we're going to run out of gas.

I-25 Derby In The Open Cup

Tomorrow night the Rapids are going to try to do something they've never done at the Dick.  Qualify for the Open Cup quarterfinals.  The last time the burgundy boys made it past the Round of 16 they were the black and blue boys and were playing their last season at Mile High (though both USOC gamers were on the road that year) and it was the last time we beat a MLS team in this competition, taking down FSL 1-0 in Utah.  This is also the 10th anniversary of the last time we played the Switchbacks, beating them in USOC play, so its only appropriate that they're our opponents tomorrow night for this all-Colorado battle.  If Minnesota beats San Jose in the match about to kickoff the Colorado teams were be the furthest west teams left in this year's competition.  Kickoff tomorrow night is at 7pm.

I'm still not going to predict a lineup for this one.  We're on our 6th game in 18 days, with another one to come this weekend before we finally get a midweek break.  Its really going to be a matter of who has legs left to go in this one.  The Springs have only played 3 in that same time, so they'll be better rested.  I do expect Nico Hansen to get the start in goal but outside of that its an open question.

Prediction: 3-1 win.  To be blunt, tired or not, a team that ran Houston out of its place 6-3 a couple of weeks ago should no be losing to a lower-league team in the same stadium.  I'm sure the derby nature of this game will keep it tighter than we're comfortable for longer than we want but in the end the greater talent of the Rapids should prevail.  Of course, the Rapids have found ways to lose the games plenty of times in the past (Orlando, Atlanta, New Mexico...).

H2O

The rapids of the Fraser River meet the whitecaps of the Pacific near Vancouver

Water meets water north of the border tomorrow as the Rapids meet their aquatic counterparts the Whitecaps in Vancouver.  Colorado is coming off a good 0-0 draw in LA on Wednesday while the 'Caps are rested after their game last weekend.  There are 27K expected in BC Place for this one as this is the last home game for Vancouver until August due to FIFA taking over their stadium for the World Cup.  Kickoff is at 8:30pm MT.

Player Availability:

OUT: M Josh Atencio (yellow card suspension), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Connor Ronan (leg)

QUESTIONABLE: D Jackson Travis (ankle)

I would be very surprised if Travis plays given the turf at BC Place.  Reggie Cannon is back and will be in the gameday roster according to Wells, but I wouldn't expect him to start.

This is really just a guess based on who's available and who's played what this week.  Everyone is going to have to dig deep, especially down the center spine, to come up with another 90 minutes.  Maybe Rosneberry starts?  Or Yapi goes again since he didn't start last Saturday?  Do we risk Cobb in the middle instead of Herrington?

Prediction: 0-2 loss.  Vancouver is rested at home and is the best offense in the league.  We're tired and couldn't score against a good team on Wednesday.  I just don't see much in this one for us.

 

Our Least Favorite Road Trip: LAFC

Colorado heads out on the road for a double-game week.  They'll be up north in Vancouver on Saturday but first they have to go somewhere they hate, LAFC, tomorrow night.  The Rapids have never won at the Bank and LAFC is looking particularly tough this year, having given up just the first goals of the whole season on Sunday.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 8:30pm 

Player Availability:

Out: M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Conner Ronan (leg)

Cannon and Miguel Navarro return from injury but in the case of Cannon I'm not sure he'll be up to jumping back into the starting XI after missing a month but Navarro should be good to go.

This is really a guess.  I have no idea how Wells is going to rotate for his first true 3 game week and knowing he'll be facing a rested Vancouver on the weekend.  Even if its this lineup it could be a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1, or a 4-3-3.  I don't see Atencio starting after his struggles on Saturday and I think both Travis and Thompson have failed to grab the right back spot, so if there's any time Keegan gets a start it feels like its this one.  I expect Rafa and possibly one of the center backs to be subbed out in the 2nd unless its a tight game.

Prediction: 0-2 loss.  Colorado might have the second best offense in the league but LAFC has the best defense by far, and they're impossible to beat at home (at least by the Rapids).  I'm going to have to see this team do more than lose to good teams before I predict a result on the road, especially at the Bank.

Well Done Houston

I realize Houston is the opposition tomorrow but as I sit here writing this while watching Artemis' return to our planet I have to give Mission Control in Houston credit for a great job over the last 10 days.  Teenaged me once dreamed of being in that room (I was never going to make it as an astronaut so Flight Director was my goal) and while I have no regrets about my life or choices it will never get old watching NASA do things like this (unlike Elon).

Anyway, on to tomorrow night's game where the Rapids are finally home for the first time in more than a month.  Of course they're without a number of players but better to deal with that in the friendly confines of the Dick.  Meanwhile one player that would certainly be starting tomorrow is he were still with us will be on the other side as Sam Vines makes his return to Colorado.  Kickoff tomorrow is the normal 7:30pm.

Player Availability:

OUT: D Reggie Cannon (ankle), D Miguel Navarro (red card), D Jackson Travis (red card), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Connor Ronan (leg)

The Rapids announced today that Ted Ku-DiPietro underwent shoulder surgery this week and will be reevaluated in 5 months (so late September).  Essentially his season is over barring an unexpected rapid recovery.  Spending $1.125M on a guy who was recovering from shoulder surgery and who will have 12 starts and a little over 1200 minutes total late into his second season with the club is not looking like a winning move.

Obviously the big issue though is our lack of fullbacks.  We have five on the roster and three are unavailable.  The only other two are Keegan Rosenberry and Kosi Thompson, who got his visa on Wednesday and is available.  For a team like last year's Rapids under Armas I could see Thompson being thrown into the starting lineup tomorrow.  For Matt Wells' system though?  Thompson has had maybe 3 days of practice with the team (he couldn't even train with the club before he got his visa) and the system requires a lot of playing out of the back.  Plus the amount of pressing that needs to happen at altitude.  I can't see Thompson as anything more than a possible late sub.

With only one fullback really available, an unknown use of Minoungou, and an Open Cup match next week before the 30th Anniversary/Messi match I'm not going to try to predict a lineup for this one.  We could see a winger pushed back to play defense, a 3 center back setup, or something really unexpected.

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Navarro and Yapi.  Even with our lack of fullbacks I think we're a better team than Houston, and we're at home.  Houston has played one less game then us, due to their game at New England being delayed due to weather, but even with that their offense only has 8 goals, and 6 of them came in the two games they did play in March (against an average Dallas and a bad Portland side).  This is actually their first game outside Texas this season.  It won't be easy but the Rapids pull out the 3 points to remain perfect at home.

Old Friends Meet As Enemies

The Rapids get back from the international break with an early start up north as they're on the road in Toronto.  At the scene of their greatest triumph they'll face off agianst their former coach in Robin Fraser, their former MVP in Djordje Mihailovic (possibly, he's listed as questionable), and their former goalkeeper will be on th bench in Will Yarbrough.  The Rapids recent acquisition from Toronto, Kosi Thompson, will not be available as he's still waiting on his visa.  Kickoff is a very early 11am Mountain tomorrow so don't oversleep!

(Interesting note, both Toronto and Colorado have one MLS Cup win, and both teams win their MLS Cup at BMO Field in Toronto)

Player Availability:

OUT: D Reggie Cannon (ankle), M Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder), M Connor Ronan (leg)

Along with the three injured players and Thompson waiting on his visa, new acquisition Georgi Minonugou will not be available, something to do with his visa and having just returned from national team duty with Burkina Faso he can't leave the country right away to go to Canada for this game.  If we were playing another U.S. side he would be able to play.

Kind of tricky to predict this lineup.  Travis was not good at right back last time out so I think Rosenberry will get the start.  Both Herrington and Cobb went on long trips for international callups (Australia and South Korea, respectively) so neither one likely has the legs to go 90.  Herrington got more minutes during the trip but he's young so I'm betting he gets the start with the plan to sub him out around the 60th minute.  Up front Yapi is in the same boat, but with our winger depth being tested I think he also likely gets the start with a plan to sub him out.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Navarro.  If we were a little healthier and/or a little more rested, or maybe at home, I'd be ok predicting a win.  But I feel like there's just enough stacked against us that we're going to get a draw and be fairly happy about it.

Quick SKC Preview

Ok, this is going to be quick and dirty.  The shingles vaccine has knocked me out for about 24 hours.

Steffen is back, presumably will start.  Ronan and Cannon are not available.

SKC is not a good team.  They're averaging 1 goal a game, in the form of two games where they've scored twice and two games where they've been shut out.  They got their first win last week in LA against the Galaxy.

If Wells' system is going to work this is a game you have to get a result from.  Combined with next week's game in Toronto you want at least 2 points and really you want 4.

1-1 draw, goal by Yapi.  I'm not yet willing to predict a win on the road for this group, but it wouldn't surprise me.  You can't call this a must win in game 5, but a loss here would be fairly disastrous for the goals this season.  I think we get a draw at least though.

One Last Trip To the Old Ballpark

The next time the Rapids travel to NYC (as opposed to New Jersey) the new NYCFC stadium in Queens will be open, barring a Cup run for the Rapids in the next 18 months.  That means tomorrow is the last trip to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium for the Burgundy Boys.  NYCFC is off to a hot start, but every one of their games has finished with them playing up a man (to be fair, two of our three have as well).  Kickoff tomorrow is at 5:30pm an hour after the Summit's inaugural game kicks off.  C38 is having a watch party for both games at The Owl Saloon.

Player Availability:

OUT: GK Zach Steffen (shoulder), D Reggie Cannon (ankle), M Connor Ronan (leg)

Matt Wells said today that Cannon has had an injection on his Achilles but doesn't need surgery, however he's going to be out at least this game and the next one.  That gets us to the international break and they expect to have him back after that.  Ronan is week to week and Steffen is day to day.

Keegan is the  obvious replacement for the injured Cannon, otherwise I'm not expecting any changes.  Yapi earned the start with his play last week and everyone else seems to have locked into a starting job.  The only question mark might be if Navarro moves in for Travis at left back.

Prediction: 2-1 loss, goal by Yapi.  I'm tempted to predict a draw here based on our play the last couple of weeks, but on the road is a different beat than the friendly confines of the Dick, as we saw in Seattle.  Add to that the tight dimensions in Yankee Stadium and I think that's too much to overcome.  I do think we finish with all 11 men on the field though.