Some good results for us midweek in the Western Conference with both San Jose and Minnesota losing - plus another big game between Portland and Seattle which will take points from at least one more team in the playoff mix - makes it even more important for us to get three points at home against the Rapids. Here we go!
Actually I don't think the other results make it more important that we get three points, but rather that getting three points would be an even bigger deal.
Anything short of a convincing win is a failure here. Shake off the LAFC match and go lay wood to a bad (but improved) cRapids team. A win secures the RMC again. I like the improved nature of the squad, but this is honestly the only piece of silverware we have a realistic chance of obtaining. Go do it, fellas. XI I expect Johnson Rusnak Kreilach Savarino Everton KB Toia Glad Onuhoa Lennon Rimando
Expectations are high. We have a clear path to getting into the playoffs by just winning winnable games at home. The team seems improved from earlier in the season. What could possibly go wrong?
Which was either a Petke thing or a players thing. I'm interested in seeing how they look as well under Coach Freddy.
This will be a first test of how he recovers the team after a lost game which was in grasp of a result against a very good team. Can he bounce them back or will they come out in a funk?
I'm very much looking forward to the Nicky and Timmy show. It'd be nice if the team did something for both of them before the game.
Howard has been out for quite awhile, and is listed as questionable tomorrow. It would indeed be nice to see him though.
I don't know about you, but for me, I'd prefer not to think of Nick Rimando having to lower himself to the same category as Tim Howard.
Again, to clarify, despite what the Rapids Gameday Guide says, the Rapids can only win the Cup tonight with a 2 goal win. Away. goals. do. not. matter. They haven't for like 10 years. (Posting here because I posted it in the Rapids game thread and figured both sides should be equally informed)
Rimando Lennon Glad Onuoha Toia Beckerman Everton Savarino Kreilach (?) Rusnak Sam Bench: Ochoa; Silva, Mulholland, Rowe, Plata, Schmitt, Saucedo
I want to see Rowe in the second half. Kreilach is indeed listed in the middle with Albert pushed out wide. Game on!
None of our players really followed that shot from Kamara, and we're lucky Nedum got to the rebound more quickly - barely - than the Rapids. Dangerous chance for the Rapids in the first five minutes.
There's something pretty from us finally: Nedum to Toia to Sam, and out for a corner. Except no corner?
I can't believe I've been able to root for Nick Rimando on my team for thirteen years. That series was amazing.