Match No. 3. Houston (1-1-1) v. Colorado (0-0-2) BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, March 28, 2015, 6:30 p.m. MDT 2015: Houston 1-1-0 home (1 GF, 1 GA), 0-0-1 road, (1 GF, 1 GA) Colorado 0-0-1 home (0 GF, 0 GA), 0-0-1 road (0 GF, 0 GA) Center Referee: TBA Current form: Houston: WLT Colorado: LLLLLLLTLTLLLLTT* *Yes, I'm sick of posting this. Make it end. NOW!
Before the start of the 2015 regular season, I considered the first two matches as the best chance for a win until August *shudder*. Those have come and gone, with two nil-nils. After the NYCFC match, in particular, I have a bit of renewed hope. Houston isn't off to a quick offensive start. They managed a 1-0 win at home against Columbus, and followed it with a 0-1 loss at home to Orlando City on an epically awful misplay by Tyler Deric. They traveled to La-La Land and drew the Gals 1-1 on a Nathan Sturgis (!) equalizer. Houston comes into this match a bit dinged. Both Ricardo Clark and DaMarcus Beasley limped off the pitch against the Gals. Their status is unknown for our match. On the other hand, Houston hasn't exactly been a friendly road trip for the Rapids through the years. Their defense has been solid in all three matches, not that Colorado's scoreless offense poses a giant threat. While a win isn't entirely beyond the realm of possibility, it would take at least one goal, which would be uncharted territory for the 2015 Rapids. Maybe? Maybe? Now watch the Rapids win 1-0 on a Houston own goal. (If not, Jason, I am shaking my head in disbelief that you may have nailed it with your call that the first win will come on Jameson Night.)
In addition to the injuries you mentioned, they will be missing the right side of their midfield due to Honduras call up. I've seen two of their games and they very much look like the Rapids, with a solid defense and not much in the final third. I think the Rapids have a good shot in this one. I'll go 1-1 draw, but with a little luck they could win this one.
Hmmm. Rapids have played better than I expected against Philly and NYCFC, but no goals. With Sarvas and Juan Ramirez both out there for more time, I think we will net one or more this game. Houston will be looking to take a win for sure given the Rapids current reputation. But still... 2-1 Rapids win, I have faith.
Houston will possibly be missing 6 starters: No Boniek, Garrido, Barnes (Nat team) Beasley, Clark, Rodriguez possibly out injured. Houston was already offensively handicapped with those players in, it will be amazing if HOUSTON manages a shot on goal.
Shots on goal are far from the issue. 21 shots 7 on goal last game. The issue are both scoring opportunities and most importantly finishing. Both have been sorely missing since last july.
Yes, same day delay on Altitude due to Avs and Nuggets playing at the same time. Back when the TV schedule was announced I emailed them asking if they would lift the MLS Live blackout for this game but I never heard back. It probably wouldn't hurt if people emailed or commented on Facebook this week making the same request. That way those that have MLS Live subscriptions could watch the game live.
Some of my favorite posts on here (jk) are when we amateurs make suggestions for what the professionals should be doing in training. Usually I just laugh at them, however: Fiberglass one-man 'wall' to replicate the goalkeeper about one yard off the line dead center to the goal mouth with an electronic activator for canine shock collars that 'sends' when hit -- collars around the players' (that are shooting) necks. After we fix that we can address the misses high and wide, although just barely wide I don't mind too much -- they had the right idea at least. (Hopefully you're laughing at this idea too, we shouldn't steal North Korea's training drills after all.)
I'm really hoping Houston is down for the count with injuries/intl duty, even though it's a home game for them. I'm also hoping the attack actually gets some results, heck, a goal would be awesome right? how many games now without a goal, 3 maybe 4 now if last season counts too
There's now a push on Facebook to contact Altitude and the Rapids over this, if anyone wants to help.
We've determined that the blackout power is solely with Altitude and they can't lift it due to contract requirements with sponsors. Maybe if they get enough calls that can change but any contact should be focused on Altitude/KSE, not the Rapids or MLS. (Apparently the Rapids have been running into the same brick wall at Altitude as the fans have since the schedule was announced. They even contacted Houston about moving the game time to help but no luck.)
@danielboniface: With Shane O'Neill out with the U-23s, center back pairing would likely be Burling and Watts if Sjöberg can't go this weekend. #Rapids96 Any hope I had on winning in Houston is lost if this is true. Said sjoberg has a foot bruise and is day to day in previous tweet.
Daniel boniface tweeted saying he didn't see sjoberg at training today and Pablo told him that he had a foot bruise and is day to day at the moment. Hopefully he is fine and plays on Saturday I don't want to see watts in the center back position.
No doubt. So far Sjöberg as looked solid and paired well with O'Neill. Obviously O'Neill isn't available so let's hope Axel is - otherwise it's going to be really challenging to keep the goals against down. Burling is okay but better than Watts.
No doubt. So far Sjöberg as looked solid and paired well with O'Neill. Obviously O'Neill isn't available so let's hope Axel is - otherwise it's going to be really challenging to keep the goals against down. Burling is okay but better than Watts.
No doubt. So far Sjöberg as looked solid and paired well with O'Neill. Obviously O'Neill isn't available so let's hope Axel is - otherwise it's going to be really challenging to keep the goals against down. Burling is okay but better than Watts.
I've been very happily surprised with the quality of Sjoberg's play in the first two games. Some statistical tracker had him with the most clearances in MLS this past weekend. Burling and Watts would be a HUGE step back from O'Neill and Sjoberg, not to mention we're still missing Moor.
I am also going to go out on a limb on this one: 0-0 "No one scores on the Rapids." (tm) Against both Orlando and LA, Houston didn't look terribly potent. Does the Altitude nonsense -- blacking out a game you're not showing on time?! -- mean that local viewing parties will also be delayed? Do bars use Direct Kick or some other service?