Rapids vs. Timbers, Sat. June 30, 7:00 pm MDT P/I/P

Is it too early in the season still to call this a "must win"? New week, let's all sincerely hope for solutions to old problems: leaky defense, bad finishing and lack of mental toughness. Hopefully Wynne will be fully back in the swing of things. Is Smith's green card sorted out? Will C+C goal factory finally make an appearance? Just how hot will it be? Discuss...

My guess:
Rivero - Casey - Omar
Jamie - JL - Mullan
LB Du Jour - Moor - Wynne - RB Du Jour
MVPickens

Definitely not a must win ... but... anyone else getting tired of giving away games? This team is starting to look like it did when Clavijo was in charge. aarg!!!

Not good. I just hope something starts to click and they play motivated for 90 minutes plus extra time.

Spot on ... I think we'll see Zapata and Freeman again in the back line "du jour" positions based on their performances last game. I'm thinking it will be a 2-0 Rapids win. Portland is coming off an emotional win but have had horrible road form.

Yup. I have confidence the Rapids will win, and I think the 2-0 final is a good prediction. The Rapids players are surely frustrated after last game and will likely fight tooth and nail to keep a lead going. Likely will see Casey and Cummings in to get things rolling then Edu later on. I get the sense that Edu will show more offerings for the Rapids with a few more games under his belt. And yes, Freeman will be there, but not sure about Zapata.

I think all our West coast conference HOME games are must wins, if we want to make Playoffs again.

However, I just don't see C&C both starting this one and not sure where our scoring will come from.

1-1 With Pickens again standing on his head to keep us in game.

Looks like you might of nailed it other then Rivero as #10 in midfield. Back to the 4-4-2 again!

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/06/29/rapids-notebook-colorado-look-create-consistency

The Rapids walking wounded need a win in this one against Spenny and the Woodchucks. Any chance we could shorten the match to 80'?

Portland is coming off a win over Seattle. I don't know which is harder to do: get over an emotional home loss or get up for a road match after an emotional home win. Both can be tough, but could make for a tight match. Portland is down a couple players by suspension (Palmer and Mosquera) and injury (Alhassan and Brunner).

We drew Chris Penso as the center ref. (IIRC, he had the Chicago match earlier this year and did a decent job.) Castrillon, Larentowicz and Marshall are two bookings from being penned.

I really cannot wait for this game! Bring on the fun! I need it.

After 28 long league games we might finally, FINALLY, see Casey and Cummings play together. If they play the Rapids are gonna break out the comb. I don't care what formation is played.

2-1 win. Goals by Casey and Cummings. Tomorrow C+C Goal Factory find their magic and lead the team past the Timbers. Portland gets one back late to make it interesting but Colroado gets the 3 points.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2012/06/rapids-try-to-chop-down-timbers.html

I am wondering if we will see J. Smith this evening. It seems that his style of play/technical ability might fit nicely with what OP is trying to install. I could see him playing as a forward in the 4-3-3 or in the midfield in a 4-4-2. Either way, he could be a good option for Rivero to link up with as both of them have the ability to play a short passing game as well as to serve long flighted balls into the box.

Either way, the key as I see it will be defense. As Jasonma has pointed out, the Rapids give up a lot of goals when they aren't getting a lot of midfield help in the defensive third. When they do have midfield involvement then they are able to pressure the ball effectively. Boyd really had his way last weekend with Seattle, not just on his goal, but other times as well. I will be watching to see how the Rapids work to deny him service.

my predictions for starting line up.

---casey---omar---
rivero(smith sub)--calistron---JL--mullan
zapta---moor---wynne--kimura

finally the team i wanted to see.

Kosuke is listed as questionable for today's match.

Finally, a Rapids fan that gets it.

The team is mired in 6th place in the Western Conference and tied for 12th place overall after ½
of the matches have been played. Moreover, they have dropped 8 points of a possible 21 points at home; 38% of possible points at home, where home cooking and altitude should be a decided advantage. Today they are playing a lower placed Western Conference side at home. Of course, it is a "MUST" win match and it is decidedly a must play good, attractive soccer for the home fans match as well!!!

There is no doubt we are in the "must win" zone. At the same time it the Rapids are just getting key players back from injury. Therefore, I don't expect sexy soccer tonight from the Rapids for 90 minutes. At the same time I do think there will be some moments of beauty as there have been in recent matches. Let's hope it results in goals.

With a gazillion matches this month I am wondering if we'll see a variety of lineups over the next several games?

Match thread on match day, must win Western Conference match, 15 minutes to the start and 18 posts counting this one. Predicting a 3 - 1 win (sorry John). Called the apathy police about the thread -- they didn't seem to care.

On edit, hoping to see some Jamie Smith 'proof of life'.

Halftime. Rapids up 2-0 over Portland. Goal by Castrillon in the 18th minute, then another goal in the 22nd by Casey. Both on crosses from the right side. Mullan has two assists, Freeman one.

72', Rapids still up, 2-0. Subs: Jamie Smith on for Conor Casey, and Cascio on for Omar Cummings.

89', Cascio feeds Jamie Smith who taps it in for the Rapids third goal. Oh look, Thompson is on the field, didn't see when he came on.

Final whistle. Rapids win, 3-0. My expert analysis: they looked good.

For the 1st time this season the team was able to field its best 11. They were very good in the 1st half and terrific in the final 20 minutes closing out the game with possession and style.

Rivero was terrific, he covered lotsa ground receiving balls and his vision, first touch and passing repeatedly opened up Portland. Perhaps his teammates are beginning to anticipate his quality and respond accordingly.

Lotsa good play and players tonight. Only Cummings had a bad night but he will recover. Otherwise the team in general was solid. Kudos, in addition to Rivero must go to Larentowicz, Mullen & Pickens. Moor & Wynne were stalwarts. It is interesting that when the Rapids are attacking Wynne often find himself playing like a sweeper allowing Moor a bit of freedom. Wynne's technical and tactical maturation and his outstanding speed are huge assets.

Rapids - Good on ya!!!

Great team game from the Rapids tonight.

Attendance?