Pre-Game: Sporting KC

by Brendan "Dr. Voice" Wyatt

Midweek games sometimes get overshadowed by the regular grind that is the work week.  Major sports syndicates and media departments typically don’t give soccer much love, let alone on a Wednesday, when there are basketball playoffs and struggling baseball teams to report about.

  

The Colorado Rapids are starting to get some love outside the supporters group. Our own local newspaper and some TV networks have finally hopped on the bandwagon.  It’s only taken five wins at home and some eye opening performances from Jermaine Jones.  I should say that Jones is getting love; the Rapids, not so much.  The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla took every chance he could to stab the Rapids with a negative comment while praising Jones and his performances.  He clearly hasn’t been watching.

There are a lot more performances and statistics to back up the Rapids record than the signing of Jermaine Jones.  Marco Pappa played a vital role in the start for the Rapids, having either scored or assisted on every goal up to Jones’s arrival.  I wonder if Kiszla even knows he’s on the roster. Pappa could return to the bench in tonight's match against Sporting KC.  This being another three game week (last week’s RSL game, tonight against Sporting KC and Saturday the Rapids travel to Columbus) there are chances of mixing up the lineup.  Pappa has been recovering from an MCL sprain, and looked to be nearing 100% at training the other day.

 

Sam Cronin and Michael Azira are turning out to be the hidden gems, while we knew of Cronin’s leadership and work ethics from last year, it’s his partnership with Azira that flows seamless as the two of them have rapidly shut down the opponent’s offense; just ask Giovinco. The fact that the Rapids defense has shut down major offenses seems to be forgotten, by most if not all circles.  Take into consideration that the back four in front of Zac MacMath has not been the same for more than two games while still holding teams to less than a goal a game should say something; but it doesn’t.

The Rapids were a volcano looking to erupt, Jones was the boiling point, but there are a lot of elements to what make the burgundy boys so hot right now.  There are eleven guys on the pitch who have full confidence in each other, something that this team hasn’t had in a long time, maybe since 2010. 

Against Sporting KC, the Pids look to remain unbeaten at home this season.  Coach Pablo seems to have figured out how to beat Peter Vermes having won the last three meetings.  It won’t be easy, Sporting is also on an unbeaten streak, the Rapids will just have to “Keep Fighting”.

The Voice of C38 podcast crew aims to keep the karma going with an appearance from Sean St. Ledger at the tailgate.  Tailgate starts at 4pm, guest appearance at 6.  Kickoff is at 7, pass out drunk around 11.

Predicted starting XI: ZacMacMath; Mekeil Williams, Bobby Burling, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch; Sam Cronin, Michael Azira; Luis Solignac, Jermaine Jones, Shkelzen Gashi; Kevin Doyle.