Lopez to Colorado?

Steven Goff is reporting that former Wizard Claudio Lopez is in talks with the Rapids. I think its not a bad as a backup attacking player. I don't see him working his way into the starting lineup, unless he can play right mid and Jamie Smith isn't available. The key to this being good or bad is going to be $$$ and what (if anything) we have to send to KC. Though considering how desperate we are for depth in the attack it might be worth it.

Lopez is also notable to having the biggest reaction to the Class VI heckling in the last couple of years, at one point turning to the section and yelling back.

Marvellous Wynne for the Rapids!

For the first time in team history the Rapids won a season opening game on the road. In the first half both teams looked much like this was their first game of the season, with numerous players who weren't on the same page with their teammates. The Rapids were the better of the two teams, with Omar Cummings being particularly dangerous. The Rapids came out hot in the second half. In the 55th minute a deflected Colin Clark pass came to Cummings and in one move he spun and shot from the top of the box, curing it past the keeper and off the post for a 1-0 lead. Chivas wouldn't go away quietly though and pressed the attack. Their best chance however was actually an almost own goal from Danny Earls, who headed the ball back to goalkeeper Matt Pickens when Pickens was running up to it. Matt was able to dive back and grab the ball to prevent the goal. Chivas wouldn't quit though and the Rapids were dodging bullets until the very end, but pulled off the shutout for their first season-opening road win.

I thought teamwork was going to be the key to the game, but both teams were suffering from too many new players and not enough time together. Still though, on the winning goal the Rapids put together a 9 pass sequence before the 10th pass from Clark was deflected to Cummings. The Rapids were able to put together more of those type of sequences in this game.

Other Observations:

• Pickens did not look good in this game, punching many balls that most keepers would have caught. Hopefully its just a matter of shaking the rust off.
  
• Earls and Kimura had unspectacular nights. Earls was just average. No real mistakes but never really stood out. Kimura had a couple of bad plays that he had to make up for, but was also more involved with the offense than Earls.
  
• Ballouchy was Ballouchy, never did anything particularly good but at least avoid doing anything too horrible. In the last moments of the game he was more concerned with trying to score the second goal than taking time off the clock, but it didn't cost us. I'm still not thrilled with the idea of him starting but if he can play like this then he'd be a decent sub.
  
• Great to see Colin Clark start and get 80 minutes. He obviously wasn't 100%, but he was doing well enough to be dangerous.
  
• Casey was quiet this game, but that was partially because Chivas was keeping him under wraps. Just the threat of what he could do was enough to free up other players. He'll have to back up that threat with actions this season, but just having somebody who can be that dangerous is a great help for the likes of Cummings and Clark.
• I have to say something good about Drew Moor. Not only because he played a solid game at center back, but also because I won his autographed jersey in the Supporter's Club raffle at the Kick-Off Party!
• Great to see the Rapids in HD and Marc Stout back doing the pbp!
  

Player of the Game: Marvell Wynne. This was a tough choice between Wynne and Cummings, who were the best two players on the pitch Friday night. Even though Cummings got the goal I gave the nod to Wynne because of his solid work for a defensive line that he only met 24 hours earlier. His only real mistake was on his first touch of the game, where a ref could have easily called, possibly incorrectly, a PK. After that though he didn't really put a foot wrong and while a bit out of position at times his speed allowed him to compensate. A great start for the newest Rapid.

Rapids Who Stare At Goats

The season is here and its about time! The Rapids are in LA-LA land to face the Under-a-Chivas. Kickoff is at 8:30pm Denver time. The Supporters Groups are having their kickoff party at Katie Mullins on the 16th St. Mall. Party starts at 6:30pm and is open to everyone!

Injury Report:

OUT: MID Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain), FWD Ross Schunk (R ACL tear)

DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: DEF Julien Baudet (R calf strain)

PROBABLE: FWD Conor Casey (R foot sprain), FWD Omar Cummings (R knee sprain), MID Jeff Larentowicz (L knee scope)

Wow, now that's an ugly injury report. There are 4 likely starters on that list. Chivas only has 3 players on their whole injury report. Obviously the Rapids will be in a bit of a hole. Its hard to guess at the first lineup of the season anyway, and with that many injuries its really tough, but I'll give it a shot:

Pickens

Kimura - Moor - Palguta - Earls

Pablo

Smith - Ballouchy - Clark

Cummings - Casey

I'm only confident with about 50% of this lineup. We could easily see Baudet, Larentowicz, Wynne, LaBauex, or even Akpan in the starting lineup. I'm hoping that I'm pretty accurate though, as that's pretty close to our best 11.

Key To Look For:
Teamwork. There could be anywhere from 1 to 4 new players in the starting lineup. We could see new arrival Marvell Wynne thrust right into the first XI, depending on Clark and Baudet's health.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Conor Casey. With all the injuries and probable shuffled lineups I don't see a great game form the Rapids. Chivas is facing many of the same issues though and it will be hard to separate the teams. Casey opens his account early, but the probably unfamiliar back line will make a mistake and allow a goal.

LaBrrocca for Wynne

As soon as I posted that the Final Roster was set, the Rapids made a trade. Out goes Nick LaBrocca, in comes Marvell Wynne from Toronto. TFC also gets an unspecified draft pick in the trade. No official confirmation yet, but multiple reports are leaking about it.

I am cautiously optimistic about this trade. LaBrocca was somewhat redundant as a defensive/holding mid with both Pablo and Larentowicz. Wynne is a strong speedy guy that needs work on his technical skills. The one down side is that Wynne can pretty much only play right back, which makes me wonder what the plans aare for personal favorite Kosuke Kimura. Is Wynne being brought in for depth or will he be expected to start at RB? If so, I think Kimura turns into a super sub that can come in at RB, RM, DM, and even LB in a pinch.

UPDATE: Trade confirmed by Rapids press release. We sent a 3rd round pick along with LaBrocca.

Final Roster Set

The Roster Deadline was at 3pm today and the Rapids have released their season opening roster:

Under Senior Contract:
Goalkeepers:
Ian Joyce
Matt Pickens

Defenders:
Julian Baudet
Danny Earls
Kosuke Kimura
Drew Moor
Oscar Murillo
Scott Palguta

Midfielders:
Mehdi Ballouchy
Colin Clark
Ross LaBauex
Nick LaBrocca
Jeff Larentowicz
Pablo Mastroeni
Jamie Smith
Wells Thompson

Forwards:
Andre Akpan
Conor Casey
Omar Cummings
Ross Schunk - On DL most if not all the season with ACL tear

Under Supplemental (formerly Developmental) Contract:
Goalkeepers:
Steward Ceus - On loan to Charlotte

Defenders:
Michael Holody
Rob Valentino - GA

Midfielders:
Ciaran O'Brien - GA

Ross Schunk being upgraded to a senior roster spot is a surprise. I wonder if that was done after he tore his ACL in order to free up a Supplemental spot. Either way, assuming the IR and season-long loan rules stay the same Schunk's roster spot can be filled while he's on the DL and Ceus' spot can be filled since he's on loan this season.