Baudet official, finally

In news that surprises nobody, the Rapids officially announced the signing of French defender Julian Baudet today. He fills the roster spot created when Gregory Richardson was waived last week. Richardson wasn't getting any playing time and reportedly had some attitude issues, so this has to be seen as an upgrade. Baudet will be able to play once the official transfer window opens on July 15th, which means the earliest we'll see him is the game in DC on July 18th.

As a center back it raises the question of who goes to the bench so he can play. Right now I would say Gibbs. I think Palguta has shown great improvement and has been pretty solid the last couple of games, while Gibbs still seems to be less than 100% committed at times.

Scoreless in Seattle

OK, I don't feel much about this 3-0 loss. Needless to say the team was tired after 2 games in the previous 8 days and just didn't have enough in the tank for the second half. Cummings hit the woodwork a PK early, Keller stoned Clark very early, and the Sounders managed to get out to a 1-0 lead, forcing Colorado to push the game. The more we pushed, and the more tired we got, the more the Sounders took advantage. Chalk this one up to a learning experience on how to pace yourselves in a 3 game week and move on.

Other Observations:

• Until Pablo's sub in the 72nd minute the back 4, plus Pablo and Pickens, played every minute of the 3 games with the exception of Palguta's sub in the last 6 minutes of the DC game. Not surprising they found it hard to keep up with Montero and Jaqua.
  
• By pulling Pablo and not using Cooke I think Smith decided around the 70th minute to throw the towel in on this game. I can't say I blame him.
• Yeah, that's all I've got on this game. After the amazing USA-Brazil game, following up with the less than stellar play of the Rapids made it hard for me to really focus on the game.
  

Player of the Game: Colin Clark, for lack of a better choice

Rapids Make First MLS Trip to My Hometown

The Rapids make their first trip for an MLS game to my hometown of Seattle on Sunday. And when I say my hometown I mean that literally. The hospital I was born at is on the hill above Qwest Field. Its an afternoon game on Sunday with a 2pm MDT starting time. Those supporters that didn't make the trip to Seattle will be at the British Bulldog as always.

On a special note, I found out that this morning that my cousin Sarah and her husband Rob, Sounders season ticket holders (and regular readers will recognize Rob from some comments he's posted here), welcomed their first child into the world. Abigail Schmicker was born at 6am and everyone is healthy and happy. I sent her a stuffed Marco Van Bison to try to keep the corrupting influences of the Sounders fans at bay. ;) Congratulations Rob and Sarah!

Official Injury Report:
PROBABLE: MF Terry Cooke (L knee sprain)

Official Discipline Report:
ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Cory Gibbs
TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: Conor Casey, Ugo Ihemelu

International Absences:
Conor Casey (U.S. National Team)

Seattle has 4 players listed as doubtful and Ljungberg, Le Toux, and Zakuani are listed as probable. I expect at least 2 of those 3 will play, but they don't have much flexibility. My guess on the Rapids lineup:

Pickens

Ihemelu - Gibbs - Palguta - Harvey
Mastroeni

LaBrocca - Ballouchy - Clark

Cummings - Noonan

Yep, the same 11 that started the Dallas game. I just don't see many changes to be made that would improve the side, unless Cooke is ready to go. Given that he's still probable and we're playing on turf I'm guessing they won't risk him for more than a late game sub if we're losing.

Key To Look For:

3 games in a week. This is the first time the Rapids have had to deal with it this season (The USOC play-in games were played as reserve games essentially) and we'll have to see what they have left in the tank. We don't want to be behind late and have to push on tired legs.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Omar Cummings. I don't think we have the ability to beat Kasey Keller twice without our Casey. We're going to be too tired to keep a shutout, especially on turf. I just think this game has draw written all over it. Omar will be able to keep his nice run going though and make a serious bid for Player of the Month before leaving for the Jamaica National Team.

Witness the Power of this Fully Armed and Operational Dallas Team!

Admiral Ackbar was right (as usual), this was a trap game and the Rapids walked right into it. I'm not going to spend much time recapping the game. The Rapids played lousy, Dallas played worse, and both teams had one defensive breakdown that lead to a goal.

In the first half the Rapids controlled the game. Then Ihemelu his a weak pass forward to nobody that Dallas immediately turned around and pushed forward on. Ihemelu compounded his mistake by not holding the offside line (but Ballouchy also did it), allowing Cooper to chip the ball to a wide open Ferreira behind the defense and he popped it over an on-rushing Pickens for an undeserved 1-0 lead.

Colorado looked like they were going to suffer their first loss at home until Cummings decided to continue this great run he's on. Ballouchy, making up for his earlier poor play, sent a nice through ball into the Dallas box in the 85th minute. Cummings split two defenders to get to it and went far post past the Dallas keeper to level the game.

My key to the game was not to overlook the game. Oops. The Rapids played like they could just show up and win against a Dallas team that is starting to find itself, and Dallas took advantage. This was a game that we should have won but by our play at times we were lucky to get a draw.

Other Observations:

• OK I picked the lineup, the Rapids score, and the Rapids scorer correctly. I just didn't foresee Dallas scoring.
  
• The first sub was pulled straight from Clavijo's coaching playbook. LaBrocca was our best player up to that point, why pull him out?
  
• Ballouchy regressed last night. Poor game from him.
  
• Colin had some nice runs last night, but couldn't get shots on target.
  
• In fact most of the Rapids had a hard time knowing where the goal was. Omar had 2-3 great heading chances that went off-target.
  
• Pablo was pushing up for the second straight game, interesting to see this new addition to our midfield.
  
• Ihemelu's one brain fart per game appears to be back. Let's hope its a one time thing.
  

Player of the Game: Nick LaBrocca. Credit to Omar for getting the goal, but LaBrocca was the only player out there that played every minute he was on the field.

Its a Trap!!!

First we get 2 weeks between games, then we get 4 days. Such is MLS scheduling. The Rapids are right back at it after their win against DC over the weekend. Tomorrow night Dallas is in town for their first of two trips in the next 2 and a half weeks to Denver. Game time is 7:30pm at the Dick and even though its a weeknight the supporter's groups will still be hosting the tailgate 2 hours ahead of time.

Official Injury Report:
PROBABLE: MF Terry Cooke (L knee sprain)

Official Discipline Report:
ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Cory Gibbs
TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: Conor Casey, Ugo Ihemelu

International Absences:
Conor Casey (U.S. National Team)

Dallas has 5 players listed as out and a 6th listed as Questionable so they're going to have a hard time just filling out the 18-man roster card. My guess on the lineup:

Pickens

Ihemelu - Gibbs - Palguta - Harvey
Mastroeni

LaBrocca - Ballouchy - Clark

Cummings - Noonan

Hey, if its not broke, don't fix it. 10 of this group started in the 3-0 shellacking of Dc on Saturday and I expect Gary Smith to pretty much stick with the same lineup. The only change i see is Peterson sitting and Ballouchy starting. Peterson didn't do well on the right on Saturday and was subbed at half.

Key To Look For:

This has trap game written all over it. Midweek game at home against an opponent that looks pretty easy in the standings. If the rapids overlook this game towards the road trip to Seattle on Sunday hey will pay for it. If they keep their minds on the team in front of them they should be able to handle Dallas.

Prediction: 1-0 win, goal by Omar Cummings. I think the short rest time and the trap nature of this game will keep the Rapids from really controlling the play. When push comes to shove though the Rapids are better than Dallas and they'll settle down long enough to finish the job.