PBP: Post Hudson Era #6 - Rapids host newcomers FC Cincinnati - Sat., June 1 - 6:30 pm

The Rockies pull that except with purple, but at least they've had purple in the uniform for a long time. I've been buying burgundy for years, so burgundy is what they'll get.

 

My pre-game thoughts for this match against the "Toothless Lions"

The Good:

• Rapids are on a 3 game unbeaten streak. Winning away at LA Galaxy, Winning at home against Columbus, and grabbing a Tie against Philadelphia. All good, solid results against good teams
  
  
• Rapids have scored in every home game this season, and are averaging 2 goals per home game
  
  
• Cincinnati has been held to 1 goal or less in 7 of their 8 away games (in four of those games they scored a big fat 0). They are averaging 0.6 goals per game in away matches
  - Cincinnati is also allowing 2 goals per game on the road
  
  
• The team has showed a lot of resilience and fight in the matches since firing Hudson. Morale seems to be running high in the locker room
  
  
• Abubakar doesn't face any loan restrictions, and is available for selection on Saturday
  
  
• Kamara, Nicholson, and Price are all fully rested. Lewis played limited minutes on Wednesday
  
  
• FC Cincinnati are in the midst of an abysmal stretch of matches. Their record in their last 10 Matches is: 1W - 8L - 1T
  - 4 goals for
  *2 of those goals came in their lone win
  - 20 goals against

The Bad:

• The Rapids defense is still the Rapids defense and is averaging 2.7 goals allowed in home games this season
  
  
• Rosenberry and Acosta have gone the full 90 in both games on Saturday and Wednesday.
  
  
• FC Cincinnati has Fanendo Adi and Darren Mattocks. Even though they haven't done well this season, if those guys get hot against us, it could bode poorly for our outlook on the game, especially given our potentially depleted defensive options
  
  
• Greg Garza plays RB for Cinci. He's got speed, and awareness and can keep pace with a lot of people in the league
  **Caveat: He also likes to press high on the field, so this could be good for counterattacks, pending on how they lineup/play**
  
  
• FC Cincinnati are playing on full rest, Rapids will be playing their 3rd game in 7 days - with a midweek travel to the east coast in the middle of it
  
  
• Ted Unkel is reffing the game

The Ugly:

• Did I mention Ted Unkel is reffing the game?

The Interesting:

• FC Cincinnati got the "new coach" bump in their win against Montreal by a score of 2-1 on May 11. They have since lost their next two games prior to this match by a combined score of 7-1
  
  
• Rapids lost their first two games with the "new coach" bump, but have done well since

Prediction?

Rapids win 3-1 after conceding the first goal. Cincy comes out swinging, but Rapids slow things down, regain control of the match and tie right before half time on a counter attack. Unkel then hands out a questionable red card to Cincy early in the second half, and it's all Rapids after that.

Kamara (twice) and Lewis score for the good guys. Mattocks scores for the bad guys.

**Backup prediction is that Unkel gives us the questionable red card early in the 2nd, and Rapids lose 2-1 after holding on for the majority of the game, but dropping the points due to short rest**

 

Good info. Unfortunately I can't make this game. Weather looks great. Wish I could be there. enjoy those who can go.

 

I just realized that this game is last versUS last. (East versUS west). And if we win we'll be behind in the wooden spoon race.

 

This one is for all the marbles, or, in this case, all the wooden spoons in the world.

Despite the grueling schedule, I'm getting the feel the Rapids see this run as a finger in the eye of Hudson, who made everyone's life miserable for so long. The boys will suck it up on a warm summer evening.

Rapids 2-0, with Nicholson and Acosta scoring the goals.

 

That theIR seems a little passive/aggressive for some reason. ;>)

 

2-1 win, goals by Kamara and Nicholson. Yes, for the first time in a while I'm actually predicting a win. Cinci does not have a good offense and we actually do, while both defenses suck. But I think on the road they wilt at altitude and we get enough to get the 3 points and pass them in the table, finally getting out of last place.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2019/05/wkrpfc.html

 

I know it's been a couple years but too bad Omar's not still on Cinci. It would be great to see him again and give him another cheer.

 

First game this season that I’m genuinely excited to attend.

2-0 win for the home team. Combination of the Abubakar factor, Cincy’s poor offense and altitude produce a clean sheet. Why not?

Goals by Smith and Kamara.

 

I think he's still working for the team though.

 

He pulled it against philly. I noticed he was playing very gingerly afterwards.

 

Welcome to Colorado!

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...denver-flight-delayed-seven-hours/1310610001/

 

I suspect they meant playing in denver is tough. Altitude, etc.

If not, they are mistaken. I travel a lot and find most of my delays are not denver related.

 

Sitting at Aurora Sports Park while waiting for my match to restart due to a lightning delay. I am scheduled to be done reffing at 530, planning to head to DSGP after. Perhaps the Rapids will be delayed as well and I can actually get to see the match.

 

The train at the airport takes a long time. The escalators too.

 

Players keep sneaking off to the pot dispensaries?

 

And boy, let me tell you, if you get lost and end up in the alien bunker it's gonna be a while.

 

And you have to fly uphill. It takes a toll.

 

And all that construction in the terminal. Not sure if they will even wake up in time for the game.