Pre-game: @ Portland

by Brendan Wyatt

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season we would be talking about the Rapids chance of winning the Supporters Shield?  There was talk about how the teams ambition was to reach the playoffs.  There were even high hopes of securing home field in some circles; but to think that the Rapids have the best chance to win the Shield in the teams 21 year existence was slightly blasphemy.

It’s not all but secure though, a few things have to happen with the last two games the Rapids play.  Starting with today, if the Rapids win and Dallas doesn’t get any points today then the Supporters Shield is ours.  If the rapids lose, or tie, the talk of winning the shield may commence, but the odds would be against us.  As for the playoffs and winning the cup, lets discuss that as we start the playoffs.

It sure would be sweet if the Rapids lock down both the playoffs and the shield against the same team.  Sorry Portland, but it does have a nice ring to it.  When the teams met two weeks ago it was Sebastian Le Toux’s goal that secured the Rapids in this year’s 2016 playoffs. Today, fate dons a kit as the Rapids look to do what they have only done just twice, win.  Then fate has to go to work on FC Dallas. Portland on the other hand, is still trying with all their might to lock in the last playoff spot in the west.  This will be a tough fight for the Rapids.

 

As for what our burgundy boys have to do, that’s simple, keep doing what they have been.  Scoring more, as well as finding the back of the net in critical moments of a game.  The form they are in now looks a lot like the beginning of the season, when they could close out games.  I remember when Coach Pablo said (at the beginning of the season) the difference between this years team, and last years was that they could find a way to not only win, but close out game, especially in the closing minutes. 

 

It’s not easy to win in Portland, it’s only been done three times this year; but FC Dallas was riding a home unbeaten streak before Dom Badji and the Rapids came to town.  We should expect the same lineup as to what we saw fight it out against San Jose.  Although Sam Cronin, who has played more minutes than any other player donning burgundy took a seat last game, Dillon Powers may have had one of his best, as did Kevin Doyle.  You just don’t sit guys who are in form.

Despite your personal opinions of Coach Pablo, the Rapids FO, or the any of the players, you can’t deny this is the biggest turnaround by a team ever.  From the bottom up, after all it takes time for drastic changes to take effect, even in your FIFA game.  So for a team to get this far, considering how far they fell, you have to give them a hand. 

 

Join us at Park Hill Golf Course. Events all day with the Footgolf and the game goes on at 3 pm. If you can't make it to this event, grab some friends and definitely find a place to watch. Kick-off at 3 pm.  Colorado is a sports town, the more trophies and playoffs this team makes, the more attention they will get. Screw the baseball playoffs, and the Bronco’s played a crap game on Thursday, so today’s Sunday Funday is all about the Rapids.

Predicted starting XI: Tim Howard, Eric Miller, Axel Sjoberg, Jared watts, Marc Burch.  Dillon Powers, Michael Azira, Marlon Hariston, Kevin Doyle, Shkelzen Gashi, Dom Badji.