Seattle v. Colorado Sat. July 7 9pm MT P/I/P

Quick turn around. The third game in 8 days. On the road in Seattle where earlier this season we had perhaps one of our worst performances when the team was struggling to even get past the center line....

I think the team is in a much better state than it was at that point. Is it in a "good" state? not really. But at least things aren't as bad as that game, so I think we will see a better game than last time. Here are my hopes for changes tot he line-up because I think some are needed.

Cascio-----Casey

Rivero

Smith---------------Mullan

Larentowicz

Kimura-------Moor-----Wynne---Freeman

All-Star Pickens

Barring injuries, plan on bringing on Cummings between 60'-70' so he can try to get his confidence back against tired legs.

Oh and according to Chris Bianchi they look at Kimura as able to play left or right, and with how dangerous Freeman has been at the beginning of games I say leave him there, but I want to move Zapata out. There are just too many times that he loses possession with his heavy touches.

The Rapids have lost every competitive game they've ever played in Seattle by an average of 2 goals.

The Rapids have been nothing if not inconsistent. They played well against Portland and reasonably well against Vancouver. I'm afraid it's time for the consistency pendulum to swing the other way. Never mind they have to play again in three days in Seattle.

Sadly, I honestly don't see path forward to a victory or even a point. I would love having to eat crow Saturday night.

Let's keep this in mind before anyone recommends going with 3 in the back.

One thing we have learned, Rapids must score first to have any chance at winning. We simply can't break down bunkered D even with Casey back.

Which has been true of the Rapids for years. I believe we went something like 4 seasons before the final road game in 2010 between winning games after giving up the first goal.

What are the odds of an MLS team winning after going down a goal? At home? On the road? Relative weight of teams can be ignored. Or, for extra credit odds may be adjusted based on the weighting of teams by points-per-game, at the time of their meeting.

It's been a long, long time since I took statisticsandprobability (my teacher insisted it was one word), but this would have been more fun than a lot of the homework provided.

I remember poking into this a while ago during the streak JasonMa mentioned:

So in the beginning of 2010, in 64 MLS games, 4 teams won after conceding the first goal.

Oh Rapids, how will you underwhelm me this time?

Shall we be the team to offer SEA the break they need to snap their winless streak? Hope not. Anything can happen, that's what we have going for us (insert rollie eyes).

Cascio-----Casey

Rivero

Castrillon---------------Mullan

Larentowicz

Zapata-------Moor-----Wynne---Freeman

Pickens

Rest for some of the players is possible. I still see Castrillon starting, given that he is productive and does the little things in space--one more good header last week. Smith has looked really good, but still coming back from injury, and on turf, I say he makes a great sub in this game.

So, the one player who gets "rest" is Cummings, along with a sub appearance, assuming the Rapids are drawn or losing. If, miraculously, we're breaking the jinx and are ahead, Cummings may not get on.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I think this is pretty spot on. When I was skimming through the last game last night, I don't think Smith is anywhere near 90' fit right now and when you factor in the turf, it doesn't make sense to start him yet.

I wish we didn't need a win, but unfortunately we do.

3-1 loss. Goal by Casey. I don't see why this Rapids team will change history and get any points in Seattle. Seattle hasn't been playing well, but that seems to be typical when we go to Seattle and we always look over-matched there. Casey will find a way to get a goal, but the team won't be able to control the game and the Sounders will overwhelm our iffy defense.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2012/07/rapids-enter-their-dead-zone.html

3-0 loss. That's all.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd, Zakuani is probably coming back this game. Even better.

In other news, I'll be at the KC/Dynamo game for this one (visiting inlaws). At least I won't have to actually watch the loss, I can just follow it on my phone.

The glass sure is looking half-empty around here isn't it. Which means we will be pleasantly surprised when we sneak a point out of this.

We drew Kevin Stott as center ref for this match.

Seattle comes in a bit banged up. Gspurning is out and Weber is nursing a groin pull. It likely will be Bryan Meredith in goal. Estrada broke his foot and is out. Montero is one card from being penned. (He leads the MLS in shots, with 72. Somebody mark him, please?)

Steve Zakuani was upgraded to doubtful a week or so ago, but hasn't appeared in a match yet. He is a class player in every respect, and our family is pulling for him to make a full recovery. If he makes an appearance in this match, it might prove to be an emotional turning point for Seattle. (Willis Reed in the 1969 NBA playoffs, anybody?)

On our side, Larentowicz is sitting a card from being penned. I agree with those who think our B Team may see some time on the pitch. The Rapids may be able to score on Meredith, but I can't see the Rapids matching Seattle's offensive production in this one. Maybe 3-1 or 4-1 loss? I'd be glad to be wrong, but I don't see this match as likely to produce any points.

I'll be a bit more optimistic. I think the Rapids will play well but still loose.

2-1 Seattle (goal by Edu)

Did not see this lineup coming:

Pickens

Freeman - Wynne - Moor - Zapata

Larentowicz

Mullan - Rivero - Castrillon - Smith

Casey

Subs: Ceus, Marshall, Nane, Thompson, Edu, Cascio, Cummings.

In case you were wondering which team NBC Sports announcer Arlo White favors, he used to be the Sounders announcer until this year.

We just got a nice talk about Zakuani, who will hopefully play tonight. It did include the idea that he was one of the best players in the league when he went down last year. I know that the injury is still a emotional moment and Zakuani was really taking the next step early last season, but its a stretch to have called him one of the best players in the league.

Guess I need to add Kamani hill to my trade list, amazing he can't even make 18 over Nane or holy hacker

NBC shows the lineup with Castrillon as more of a withdrawn forward, which might be a really good role for him.

He is starting to seem like someone Bravo brought in w/o concurrence from O.P. But bravo to O.P. for not expecting he will want/need a late goal in this one ... I guess.

Lol- that seems to be way he plays that's for sure