Pre-Game: Portland

by Brendan Wyatt

The July 4^th game at Dicks Sporting goods Park is always a game that the fans and supporters should have circled on their calendar.  We had it circled at the beginning of the season for a few reasons.  First and foremost, it’s the July 4^th game.  Secondly, The Voice of C38 crew knew about Tim Howard back then.  Although I have been one of the few people to put it out there that Howard may not start, after watching the hype surrounding his arrival I may have to admit I was wrong.  

 Jermaine Jones just got back from a small vacation after logging all but one game with the USMNT.  I could be blasphemous and tell you that he could come on as a sub after taking some time off, but after losing the US Open cup match in Dallas we can hope that Coach Pablo puts out the best eleven that he can.

If you haven’t heard about the devastating loss the Rapids took when Dillon Serna got injured on Wednesday, then let me be the one to break the news – out for the season, his knee got ripped up and thank god he’s young and can come back from this. 

 

All the internationals are back plus one.  Jones, Gashi and now the addition of Tim Howard bolsters the lineup from what we’ve seen over the last month. The Voice crew has been talking about that moment when the squad is at full strength.  Many had hoped that this game would unveil the hard work the front office has done this season, but with Bobby Burling and Sean St. Ledger still recovering from getting their knees scoped, we can’t say that the lineup will be the best eleven.  It should be the best possible eleven though, meaning the midfield could look like, Sam Cronin (hoping he doesn’t fall down the pecking order due to a new family addition) Michael Azira, Marco Pappa, Jermaine Jones, and Shkelzen Gashi.  That’s a pretty stacked midfield if you ask me and with Kevin Doyle up top, we very well could see some scoring today. 

Our defense, despite losing Bobby Burling and Sean St. ledger is still very solid when you consider that Axel Sjoberg, and Eric Miller have proven to be stalwarts in the back.  Add Marc Burch and Mekeil Williams, and believe it or not but that has the makeup of one of the best defenses in MLS.

The opponent, the Portland Timbers, last year’s MLS Cup Champions.  The Timbers are in sixth place, posting a 6-6-5 record.  Meanwhile the rapids, despite losing on Wednesday are still undefeated at home, while the Rose City hasn’t managed a win on the road.  The Rapids are 5-6-2 against Portland, albeit the bulk of the losses were away and are 4-1-2 at home.  The burgundy boys are 13-3-4 all time on July 4^th, so no matter who steps out on the pitch tonight, expect a good game.

 

Last year, Portland took six points from the Rapids, this year is clearly different and as fans we can only hope for some revenge.  Should tonight be Tim Howard’s first start and they go out on top, those of us who made it out to “The Dick” could be a part of Rapids history. We are the 12^th man, and so far at home we’ve done our job.  From the player interviews at the C38 tailgate, to the Tifos and to our presence in the stadium; it’s not just a holiday for us, we have to work too.

 

Come out early, twelve kegs from Blue Spruce Brewing will be provided, where else can you say you can start your game-day experience with craft brew?  Bobby Burling is scheduled to come out to the tailgate, I’ll interview him around 6pm come out and give a local guy some support and some Voice of C38 karma.

Predicted starting XI: Tim Howard (yes I went back on my original thought) Mekeil Williams, Eric Miller, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch.  Sam Cronin, Michael Azira, Marco Pappa, Jermaine Jones, Shkelzen Gashi. Kevin Doyle.