Here we go again. Back in Dallas for the 5th round of the USOC. The Rapids have lost in this round each of the last 3 years under Pablo. Will this year be any different?
It will be interesting to see how both teams handle the selection for this match. It's gotta be tough for the Rapids with a short turnaround and another short week coming up (Sunday - Tuesday). Yes, Dallas played Friday night in Houston and has a Saturday - Tuesday week coming up as well - but it will be three straight matches at home. Glad to see that the Rapids traveled directly from Atlanta to Dallas and they got a preview of hot, humid weather as well. So will both teams play mostly their 'A' teams or go with a mixture? I am assuming that since many Ford and Sjöberg rested on Saturday night they will start this match and the same with Hairston. Sounds like Gashi will be available. And it would seem Boateng will see some time in this match. Badji should see time up front as he was rested as well on Saturday. Are the Rapids going "all in" to win this match? Are they going to have one eye on the next two home matches?
Dallas in a knock-out match used to be an easy prediction, but that is so 'pre-2015' thinking. We may go up a goal (2 would require 2 goals so unlikely) but then we will cunningly find a way to lose. Key feature will be letting them have lots of shots on goal while we ... not so much. Live stream at USsoccer.com: http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2499668/dallas-vs-colorado-rapids/
That's an astonishing statistic. It's not like this is the semifinals - we haven't won 3 USOC matches in a season in over 10 years. Fail.
Listening to some of the Rapids' videos coming from Dallas, it sounds as if Pablo is planning on getting guys like Hamilton, Perez, Boateng and Gashi into the game tonight. He talked about using young guys and those returning from injury.
Tonight's lineup: MacMath; Castillo, Ford, Sjöberg, Williams; Hamilton, Boateng; Gashi, Powers, Perez; Calvert. #Rapids96 | #USOC2017 https://t.co/H7NxqgqgDS— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 27, 2017
Bench against @FCDallas: Miller, Berner, Gordon, Serna, Azira, Gatt, Hairston.#Rapids96 | #USOC2017 pic.twitter.com/UcSoQEFZNy— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 27, 2017
Dallas' line up is odd/weak as well: Chris Seitz - Ryan Hollingshead, Maynor Figueroa, Walker Hume, Reggie Cannon - Carlos Cermeno, Victor Ulloa - Roland Lamah, Mauro Diaz, Paxton Pomykal - Cristian Colman.
Can anyone get this stream to work?? It keeps starting and stopping... my wifi is fine streaming everything else right now, EXCEPT for this game. UGH ... Edit: Glad to see it's not just me.
US Soccer posted to the reddit for this game that they are having technical difficulties and working on it. Another post said that nearby construction hit some fiber lines. Not sure if that is true or not.
Audio stream just died but I see both Sjoberg and Powers have subbed off due to injury. Blue Five to Burgundy Leader, Lost Sjoberg, Lost Powers. They came from behind...
Video stream is back. I accessed it from the Rapids website. Joined just in time to see Boateng concede a PK with a tackle from behind. No card. FCD 1-0 Rapids