PBP: Casey's 14th: Rapids "Shake Rattle & Roll" their way to San Jose to face the 'Quakes 7.27 @ 8pm MST

TheWarmBurger · Jul 25, 2019

Preview:

And so the Rapids head to Avaya stadium in a matchup that would have been titled a Battle of The Spoonies earlier this year, and even so last year. However, both teams have recently discovered a nice run of form as of late, and are playing beyond their early season expectations.

Earthquakes (10-7-4) have been playing lights out soccer lately:

They are 9-2-4 in their last 15

Unbeaten in their last 8 home games (7-0-1)

Have gone 5-1-0 in their last six,

Riding a three game win streak

And have outshot their last two opponents (Vancouver and LA Galaxy) by a combined 64-11. These two games were on the road as well

Almeyda has the 'Quakes playing in mostly a man-marking system, and from all reports I've read, they like to run....a lot...everybody works hard at every point in the game.

Lately, the Rapids have been playing a "bunker and counter" strategy, which while it has gotten us some great results (like beating LAFC), it has had some hiccups lately. It will be interesting to see these two strategies come head to head on Saturday.

Injury Report:

Kei being questionable leaves us potentially shorthanded with a target hold-up forward. This really hurt us against NYCFC, but we still managed to look dangerous at various times throughout the match. Acosta is back, and Bassett looks like he's feeling really good in training right now.

Thanks to @unkiemark for posting the following:

unkiemark said: ↑

😳 Okay @colebassett19, we see you.#Rapids96 | #Elevate pic.twitter.com/gQrlF3NI3O
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 25, 2019

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If Kamara can't go, I'd almost want to put out the following lineup:

Putting myself in the coaches shoes here.....With Almeyda liking his players to run around the field a ton, I'd want Nicholson and Mezquida coming off the bench in this one. Let Acosta, Price, and Bassett try to control the flow of play in the middle with Shinyashiki being your playmaker/creator. Have Lewis stretch the field down the left flank. Bassett is going to get gassed in this role, so bring on Nico around the 55th-60th minute. Lewis or Shinyashiki are also going to get gassed in the roles I'm asking, so whichever has the heavier legs and is getting shut down, bring on Nicholson for. I want both of their pace and energy to bring a spark of life to our team around the 60th min.

I'm not feeling confident enough in this match to make a prediction either way just yet. Kamara being able to go or not with that questionable tag will definitely have an impact on any predictions I would make

Lets go Rapids!!!

AlbertCamus · Jul 25, 2019

Series Matchup at Earthquakes

Earthquakes: 16 wins, 51 goals

Rapids: 8 wins, 35 goals

8 draws

Officials

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Assistant Referees: Felisha Mariscal, Micheal Barwegen

4th Official: Joe Dickerson

VAR: Ricardo Salazar

AlbertCamus · Jul 25, 2019

If Kamara is out, I have us loosing 3-1. If he is in I have us loosing 3-2. Go Rapids.

Oh, and I have the game at 8PM, not 7. 8PM Mtn time (the only time that matters).

TheWarmBurger · Jul 25, 2019

AlbertCamus said: ↑

If Kamara is out, I have us loosing 3-1. If he is in I have us loosing 3-2. Go Rapids.

Oh, and I have the game at 8PM, not 7. 8PM Mtn time (the only time that matters).
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That was a typo...thanks for noticing! Corrected

Rod1916 · Jul 25, 2019

I like most of the lineup above, but would rather see a Lewis-Nicholson pairing with Shin coming on as sub.

I can see some logic around Nicolson coming on later once the defense is a bit tired, but the speed on both sides would just be brutal to try and stop.

Rod

rapidogordo · Jul 26, 2019

Yeah - Nicholson needs to start along side Lewis.

No brainer.. the speed would be off the charts.

fortcollins · Jul 26, 2019

Don't forget the Old Bloated Romeo factor. He's been much more aggressive on cards and PKs in MLS regular season matches the last three years: 58 matches, 228 YCs, 15 straight Reds, 32 PKs. And then there are the normal clusters of fouls, failure to recognize advantage, and head-scratching no-calls and inconsistencies.

JasonMa · Jul 26, 2019

2-1 loss, goal by Shinyashiki. The team feels a little out of sorts right now, I'm not sure if I can put my finger on why. I think the injuries and absences over the last month has caused them to lose their rhythm. I don't see them getting it back this week with Kei unlikely to play.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2019/07/all-young-punks.html

Paranoid Coyote · Jul 26, 2019

AlbertCamus said: ↑

If Kamara is out, I have us loosing 3-1. If he is in I have us loosing 3-2. Go Rapids.

Oh, and I have the game at 8PM, not 7. 8PM Mtn time (the only time that matters).
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Lucky. I have to wait until 9pm. I'm too damn old to live in the Central time zone!

Prediction for the game:

JasonMa · Jul 27, 2019

Paranoid Coyote said: ↑

Prediction for the game:

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That was today's Tour de France stage

rapidogordo · Jul 27, 2019

We really need our starting 11 and a finishing 11

Injuries and red cards destroy this team

AlbertCamus · Jul 27, 2019

Paranoid Coyote said: ↑

Lucky. I have to wait until 9pm. I'm too damn old to live in the Central time zone!
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I often wonder how people are sports fans on the east coast, with all the late starts and finishes. Often this is during the baseball play-offs week games go after 10PM Mtn time during the week.

Sports Yak · Jul 27, 2019

I think we had the new coach bump, then watched it end in a couple strange games. Now that the bump is gone and the players know the playoffs are unrealistic, it’s hard to get that extra 5% effort. San Jose, on the other hand, reminds me a bit of the Rapids surprise season three years ago. Things just fall right.

Much like the last two games, I expect the Rapids to battle, but eventually fall 2-1.

Paranoid Coyote · Jul 27, 2019

AlbertCamus said: ↑

I often wonder how people are sports fans on the east coast, with all the late starts and finishes. Often this is during the baseball play-offs week games go after 10PM Mtn time during the week.
Click to expand...

Mountain is the best for sports fans. When I lived in Pacific, sometimes the games would start before I got home from work.

That could've had something to do with the traffic as well...

unkiemark · Jul 27, 2019

A major factor in this match is whether or not Kamara starts. The Rapids are gonna have a hard time with possession if he’s not on the pitch - as they did in the NYCFC match. Of course he also is a solid scoring threat.

I would start both Lewis and Nicholson with Mezquida in reserve for one of them.

Glad that Acosta will be back for this one.

unkiemark · Jul 27, 2019

Our group to lead us against San Jose.

📝 https://t.co/UiMUTF1gm9 #Rapids96 | #SJvCOL pic.twitter.com/wtsDBH67W3
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 28, 2019

JasonMa · Jul 27, 2019

Where's the "we suck again" gif...

MrPerfectNot · Jul 27, 2019

Well, hmmmm.

AlbertCamus · Jul 27, 2019

Play the ball somewhere else next time.

Before the goal Chello’s playoff analysis was painful.

AlbertCamus · Jul 27, 2019

I’d like to go to this San Jose stadium sometime.

Beerking · Jul 27, 2019

AlbertCamus said: ↑

I’d like to go to this San Jose stadium sometime.
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We have the United State's largest permanent outdoor bar. Other than that....

Centennial · Jul 27, 2019

It will be interesting to see if they fall apart now that they are playing as they have under Hudson.

This is as bad as it gets.

MrPerfectNot · Jul 27, 2019

watching the SJ broadcast - commentator "I like Acosta as a player, I just don't think he's on a very good team, the Colorado Rapids"

I didn't realize that SJ had Captain Obvious on their commentary team.

JasonMa · Jul 27, 2019

Also that SJ announcer needs to slow his roll. A nice run of games and suddenly SJ isn't the bad team its been for the last few years?

Sports Yak · Jul 27, 2019

Uninspired half. No possession in the opposing half. I think Lewis touched the ball a couple times.

SJ passed the ball well. But I was surprised by their skill level.