Colorado at Real Salt Lake, Saturday March 16, 4:00pm MDT P/I/P

Colorado (0-2-0) at Real Salt Lake (1-1-0)
Rio Tinto Stadium
Saturday March 16, 2013, 4:00 p.m. MDT
Altitude and MLS live

First match for the Rocky Mountain Cup ("or whatever you call that thing" -- Dave Checketts).
Forget FCD and Philadelphia. This one matters.

Discuss.

Don't you mean the Rocky Mountain Cup™?

I sincerely hope we manage at least a tie in this one, because last weekend's result showed the natives on these boards are already restless.

Restless, yes. But I'm happy with road points in good times and in bad.

This should be an interesting game. I think both Philly and FCD were pretty content to let the Rapids possess (though FCD might just be bad, based on the Chivas game). RSL by contrast likes to possess the ball, so it'll be interesting seeing how the Rapids play against that. Can they maintain possession? Should they?

If I remember correctly, last year when we beat RSL at home, we played a conservative, counter-oriented game. We played a 4-5-1 with two true D-mids, Mullan almost as a right back, and Rivero and Castrillon were playing defense-first.

This year is a different RSL team with what, on paper, appears to be a weaker talent base in all parts of the field but goalkeeper. But given how little we've had to show for our possession so far this year, perhaps we should treat RSL like last year's team and try the pragmatic countering approach.

This?

lets put in irwin and see ifhe makes mistakes....

really not expecting anything from this at all.

I don't expect a win....or a tie. I am disappointed after the PHI game so staying away from a blow out and scoring at least one (preferably two) goals would be good practice. Line up the same as last game with the possible exception of Brown taking Harris's wing position and Buddle in the middle. Other scenario is Brown does not start but comes in for Buddle at half.

Yeah, this pretty much matches my expectations. Keep the same starting lineup (hope Pablo recovers), Buddle in for Brown if healthy, not sure what to do with Harris / Brown / Smith / Mwanga? / Cascio / Harbottle wing choices, though.

Well, back to low expectations. As Jaimie Smith said, if the team could just put more shots on frame with the opportunities they have...

We have the depth to stay with the 4-3-3 rather than shifting around like last year. (Drew Moor at CM @ RSL, remember?)

Harbottle-----------Buddle-----------Harris
--------------------Smith---------------------
--------------La Brocca--------------------------
------------------------Thomas----------------
Mullan-----Calderon--------Moor-----Wynne
---------------------Pickens---------------------

Pablo's injury puts us in a position where we should finally utilize a more true box to box guy alongside Thomas. Since La Brocca was first choice sub for Pablo, I suspect he starts, as does Smith who replaced Powers at the half. The team looked better with Smith, and of course, we scored. If Smith stays healthy, I say play 'im. Powers can spell Smith as needed and learn from the bench.

I have Harbottle starting, though he hasn't created very much in his two games, just one shot, while Brown has 8, and Smith has 3 in 45 minutes. I like his upside, and think he will contribute, but so far, he dribbles into traffic a lot and loses the ball.

Harris continues to have the RW spot. Brown in for Buddle sometime in the 2nd half as a precaution. Pareja is going to keep playing that back line, hoping it gels.

I would like to see Powers in the box to box linking role that I've penciled La Brocca into, though.

EDIT: I keep forgetting about Mwanga. My bet is he has a shot at a sub appearance.

So, 2010 is the last time the Rapids got a result there, and 2007 is the last time they got a win (pre-Rio Tinto)? Hmm.

Personally:

Smith-Buddle-Brown (or Smith-Brown-Mwanga if Buddle is not healthy)
Pablo-Thomas-Labrocca (Or Powers-Thomas-Labrocca if Pablo is not healthy)
Calderon-Moor-Wynne-Mullan

It may be defensive-minded, but I'll take a defensive-minded point or 3 earned in this game.

Jamie Smith has to get the start right, only time we looked threating this year was with him on field. Not sure if it's Powers or LaBrocca at other spot with Thomas.

Yeah, I like this. I think Smith is a good inclusion for starting line-up since the load-the-front-with-speed approach has not been fruitful. Smarter play (i.e., Smith's brain) is probably a good approach. I really doubt Pablo will be playing (hamstring strain = insidious injury) so another possibility is to leave Hardbottle in on the wing and have Smith in place of Pablo, which would mean a bit more attack-oriented than your scenario.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Sunday is the day the Rapids gel and get a stunning result in SLC. As for Smith starting - I don't think he can stay healthy as a starter. Would imagine his role is ongoing late sub when offense is needed.

Given the game is on Saturday, let's hope they gel before Sunday

Also, Smith is healthy now and producing. Why would we assume he wouldn't be healthy if he started against RSL?

Whoops, looks like any juju I was hoping to create got passed to the reserves!

As for Smith, he has a long history of never making through a season healthy (going back to his Scottish days). So I say, save him for when he's most needed and keep him healthy on the bench in between.

Really Smith is needed until Rivero returns, so I am confused on when this "Most needed" period will occur if not now.

This seems likely, if Buddle's healthy...

Harbottle-----------Buddle-----------Harris

--------------------Smith---------------------

--------------La Brocca--------------------------

------------------------Thomas----------------

Mullan-----Calderon--------Moor-----Wynne

---------------------Pickens---------------------

What I'd rather see.....

---------------Buddle-----------

---------------------------Brown-----------

------Harbottle-----------------Smith---------

--------------La Brocca------------------------

------------------------Thomas----------------

Mullan-----Calderon--------Moor-----Wynne

---------------------Pickens---------------------

I agree 100%. It is clear that Smith is needed on the field right now. I keep hoping the guy can stay healthy, but we need to use him now regardless.

I want to like this team so much, but the habit of making stupid mistakes is really getting to me. I want to see them keep a solid shape and not make any bonehead mistakes for 90 minutes. That is my only hope for this game.

Article on Rapids-RSL rivalry:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...een-colorado-rapids-and-real-salt-lake-still-

I cannot wait to see Altitude's lineup for Saturday. Ceus at midfield again?

Off the pitch, the C38 charter buses are sold out. We're rolling in big numbers and will have a great time.

On the pitch, Pareja will fail as usual to employ any tactics or motivate his players, and we will be treated to another cowardly performance similar to the last two times we visited Salt Lake.