Pre-Game: @ New England Revs

by Brendan Wyatt 

The Colorado Rapids face one of the worse teams in MLS tonight, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy three points.  If anything, history has shown us that the Rapids often play to the level of their opponent.  NYCFC had one of the worst defenses, yet dismantled the Rapids 5-1.  The burgundy boys barely got past Vancouver, and of the three times met won comfortably just one (2-0 at home) and tied a struggling Orlando team.  

  

Is it a slump, or do they simply play it easy and try to bag just a point when three are quite capable?  It’s no secret that with a defensive minded coach that the offense isn’t his first priority, but you can’t win games without scoring goals.  We saw this last week in Utah, when the Rapids went up early and tried to defend against a good team for 90 minutes, and fell apart. 

 

Am I worried about the result tonight as the Rapids face the New England Revolution? Yes, for all the reasons I mention above.  Add the fact that the Rapids are without a few key players due to International duty and it would be justified to be nervous about how the Rapids will perform in Boston.  Tim Howard is on island time as the US are set to take on Trinidad and Tobago.  Jermaine Jones was sent back home due to his nagging knee so obviously he won’t be traveling with the team.  Marco Pappa is with Guatemala; Shkelzen Gashi is with Albania and Mekeil Williams is with Trinidad and Tobago. 

 

The absence of Howard, Gashi, and Pappa means that the starting lineup will have to be adjusted as well.  Marlon Hairston and Sebastian Le Toux were held out of last week’s game due to injuries and although they are not listed on the disabled list doesn’t mean that they are 100% fit. 

The Rapids were winning when Zac MacMath was in the net, he will return to the starting lineup tonight, and if you’re looking for the silver lining; there it is.  New England has the worst defense and the second worst offense in MLS.  Though, the Rapids haven’t scored on New England in two seasons.  Their last win in NE was in 2010.  New England is on a 6 game win-less streak and hasn’t scored in 362 minutes, but the Rapids lack the killer instinct and without two play-makers they have gone from being a predator to being the prey. 

 

The key to winning tonight may require a change in mentality.  If they remain on their heels, and sit back and defend, the chances are NE will break their goalless streak and maybe their win-less streak as well.  The Rapids need to go into Foxborough on the offensive and remain offensive, which is something they haven’t done since taking out Seattle 3-1 here at home back in April. 

 

It’s a 5:30 game tonight; the viewing parties are at the regular spots, Blue Spruce Brewing, Wonderland Brewing and Road 34 in FoCo. 

Predicted starting XI: MacMath, Miller, Burling, Sjoberg, Burch.  Cronin, Azira, Badji, Powers, Hairston, Doyle.