Rapids Go North Of The Wall

He might beat Sjoberg to a header...

Colorado makes its way to to Vancouver for tomorrow's game to kick off the second half of the season.  Vancouver is in a tight group fighting for the last couple of playoff spots.  Kickoff tomorrow is at 8pm with the game on Altitude.

Player Availability:

OUT: D Bobby Burling (knee surgery); D Sean St. Ledger (knee); M Dillon Serna (season ending ACL tear)

ONE YELLOW FROM SUSPENSION: D Axel Sjoberg (4 games for good behavior reduction)

No surprises there, Vancouver has 5 players listed as Out.

Starting XI Prediction:

If they're being extra cautious with Pappa's knee he may not start (or play) on the turf but he handled the turf in Seattle the last couple of years so I think we'll see him.

Prediction: 1-0 win, goal by Jones.  Vancouver has the worst defense in the West so we should get a goal here.  Our defense  is looking good and I expect that to continue.  Time to get back to winning ways.

Two Players Loaned Out

One official and one unofficial loan announcement in the last day or so:

• Joseph Greenspan was loaned out to Colorado Springs

The Rapids announcement doesn't mention a length of loan, just that the Rapids retain the right to recall him.  The Switchbacks' announcement says its for the season.  If I had to bet I'd say that every USL loan is probably written as a full season loan but based on the Rapids thin bench at CB and the comments they made when Greenspan returned he won't be there all season.  I expect him back in Commerce city by August, unless T. Ledger is closer to being the old St.. Ledger than we realize.

• Juan Ramirez reportedly loaned to Argentina's Talleres for a year

No surprise here, as discussed in my prior post we had no room for Ramirez to return and we had no need to bring him back.  Talleres was just promoted to the top flight for the 2016-17 season after winning the lower division.  As a full year loan we won't have to worry about finding a spot for Ramirez until this time next year, at which point we may have an option to sell him.

Update: Talleres has officially announced the loan

Rapids Fizzle On Fourth

A pretty lackluster game in front of a huge crowd is not what Colorado needed last night but its what they got.  The team looked rusty and out of sorts.  They still came out with a draw which shows how far this team has come since in the last two years this kind of underwhelming performance would have been a loss.  An opportunity missed though both in the standings and to convert new fans.

General Impressions:

• The midfield was AWOL last night.  No linking play between the back and front and Portland just had free runs to about 30 yards from our goal (especially in the 2nd half).
• I assume that the team is playing it safe with Pappa's injury but I think a better strategy would have been to start Pappa and then bring Hairston in when Pappa had gone as long as he could.  Our midfield improved as soon as Pappa was subbed in.
• Hairston shouldn't be playing midfield when Pappa, Solignac, and even Badji is available.
• Watts was lucky to not give up a PK but other than that he was fairly solid.
• Sjoberg had a surprisingly off game.  Not badly but he wasn't his normal self.
• All game Portland was inviting the Rapids to play the ball into the middle where the Timbers could collapse on them and all game the Rapids did it.  We needed to stretch the field more.
• Generally we were very slow in transition and getting the ball forward.
• The ref had a bad night as well but it hurt both teams fairly equally.
• Good to see Pablo use subs early for once.
• Cronin coming off was the first minutes he's missed all season (in league play).
• With the results last night Dallas passed Colorado in points but due to the fact that Colorado has two games in hand we still lead on points per game.
• We extended our team record undefeated streak to 12 games.
• At the halfway point of the season we lead the league in pts/game and did it without ever putting all four of Doyle, Gashi, Jones, and Pappa on the field at the same time.

Man of the Match: Tim Howard.  I really wanted to pick somebody else because I didn't want to fall into the easy trap but its the right call based on the play.  An off game for most of the team and Tim coming up big when he needed to.

The Tim Howard Era Begins

Tim Howard at the STH training event today

Monday night the Rapids will host arguably one of the five biggest home games in their history.  The team's inaugural game in 1996, the opener of DSG Park in 2007, the Eastern Conference Final in 2010, and the home opener/MLS Cup celebration in 2011 likely would be the others on that list.  Howard's addition marks the next stage in the growth of this team.  The keey now is to back up the off-field hype with on-field  play.  So far this season the Rapids have done so but they'll have their biggest audience so far for this one.  Ticket prices are high and the secondary market is hopping for this game.

Kickoff is at 7pm with the traditional 4th of July fireworks after the game.  The tailgate will start at 4 and is expected to be crowded.  Made-Rite sandwiches will be the bonus menu item at the tailgate.  For those of us who can't make it the game will be on Altitude and will be streamed free on MLS Live if you live outside the Denver and Portland areas.  I said "those of us" who can't make it because, as always on Independence Day, I have a better offer.  Namely celebrating my (18th this year) anniversary with my wife.

Player Availability:

OUT: D Bobby Burling (knee surgery); D Sean St. Ledger (knee); M Dillon Serna (season ending ACL tear)

ONE YELLOW FROM SUSPENSION: D Axel Sjoberg (5 games for good behavior reduction)

No surprises there but it would be nice for Axel to save his upcoming suspension until Burling or St. Ledger is ready to start.  Portland is only missing their goalkeeper who's recovering from a long term injury.

Starting XI Prediction:

I mean, why wouldn't you use this lineup?

Prediction: 2-1 win, goals by Jones and Kevin Doyle.  Portland's got a decent offense but their defense is a mess.  I could see us getting a shutout given our defensive record but I'm guessing that the transition between MacMath and Howard will result in one goal being given up as everyone settles into the change,  Still we're a better team than Portland this year and with the crowd behind us, we get the win.

Dillon Serna Done For Season

Sad news out of Commerce City.  That yellow card (borderline dirty) tackle Serna took in Wednesday night's USOC match that knocked him out of the game will cost him the rest of the season after having blown his ACL.

Really disappointed for him.  Hopefully he can come back strong next season.  In the meantime the Rapids have another open roster spot and a need for some depth on the wing.