Pre-Game: Playoffs @ LA

by Brendan Wyatt 

Finally, the playoffs are here as the Rapids take on the LA Galaxy today in the first of two games that will send the winner to the Western Conference Finals.  By the numbers, the Rapids have no edge in this match.  Does that mean as fans our mentality towards this game will change?  Do we find comfort in a hard fought tie?  Will we be surprised and shocked if we get the win? I say this because today, the Rapids play LA.  

I’m not sure it matters who lines up for LA, over the past twenty years the Rapids have struggled to get results in LA.  Overall the Rapids are 25-35-10 when facing LA, though this year they have not lost, winning their game at home and two draws in LA.  The Rapids are 1-6 when facing the Galaxy in the playoffs, having never eliminated the stars from Hollywood.

 

It was mentioned in the podcast as a bit of a hint; so don’t be disheartened when you get the feeling that Coach Pablo’s side will aim for the tie.  Strategy changes in the playoffs, and when you have the home record that we have, you find yourself putting money down on getting the results you want at home.  So when your team travels to a city they haven’t won in much at all, coming away with a 0-0 tie might be the best case scenario.   Yes of course a win would be even better, but let’s be realistic here, even though the Rapids have had the best season in franchise history, doesn’t mean that they can take care of business on the road.  Anything can happen in soccer, anything can happen in MLS.

Now, playing for a tie aside, the Rapids do have the roster and ability to bag three points in LA.  LA’s roster is no joke either, even though some of us thought that Landon Donovan coming out of retirement was a joke, it’s not and he still makes an impact when he’s on the pitch. 

What I want to see the most is a frustrated Bruce Arena, I can’t help but smile when I see his face turn red, when he gets animated on the sidelines and I think Pablo and his boys know how to do that.  The catch here is; that whatever we throw at LA today, may be thrown away as far as game plans go for the rematch on November 6^th.  Will Jermaine Jones get more than 20 minutes?  The team does play differently once he’s hit the pitch.  Will he get rest and will we save him for the good pitch here at home?  Chances are it will be a minute by minute situation; as if our knuckles won’t be white enough by the 65^th minute lets add the fact JJ could be the difference maker in the closing minutes.  Any other coach in the league doesn’t scare me when it comes to playing them a second time in about a week.  

Today is part one in the epic saga that is MLS playoffs, while every teams supporters and fans alike want to see their boys hoist the cup; the Rapids want to prove that this season was not a fluke and that they are a mainstay as one of the top teams in the league.

 

If you are looking for a viewing party, hit up the Irish Rover Pub (even Dillon Serna will be joining us) so make sure to get there early and grab a seat.  Don’t forget this is a day game, so kickoff is at 3pm, get your chores done early.

Predicted starting XI: Tim Howard, Eric Miller, Jared Watts, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch, Sam Cronin, Dillon Powers, Sebastian Le Toux, Kevin Doyle, Shkelzen Gashi, Dom Badji.