The Rapids face FC Dallas for thee third time this season and the second time at home. First match was a 0-0 draw in Frisco and then in late May the Rapids won at Dick's 3-0 with goals by Rosenberry and Barrios plus a Dallas own goal. The Rapids travel to Sandy, Utah Saturday for the first match v FSL this season. Assuming Rubio is healthy, I believe he will start but Barrios won't as he played a lot of minutes Saturday. Shiyashiki will also start on the bench. Galván is likely to start and perhaps Benezet as well on the wings. Will this be a match where Larraz gets some significant time? Another match the Rapids should win - hope stating that isn't a jinx.
I actually think Shinyashiki may start on the wing if Barrios is being rested. Benezet's got a lot of skills, but he simply hasn't shown them in his minutes this year and Saturday's game was rough for him. He gave away possession a number of times. Which is unfortunate. I like what he can bring to the table. We saw flashes of it last year, but it just hasn't hit again yet this year. I would much prefer a front three of Galvan - Rubio - Shinyashiki (again if Barrios is being rested). Shinyashiki has shown well on the wings before and I think he'll do well there again tomorrow.
The reason I am speculating that Shinyashiki will start the game on the bench is because of how many minutes he played Saturday. For the Rapids, squad rotation could play a big part in determining the starting XI this match and at FSL. And for this same reason, I predict we will see more of Toure in this match. He played a few minutes on Saturday, so in theory he could give a lot of minutes Wednesday. With Lewis on Nat team duty they need one more player for depth as a winger and it seems, up top. Right now that appears to be Toure. What about the midfield. It figures at some point Price will need to come off to keep him somewhat fresh for Saturday and perhaps the same for Bassett. The candidates to get some playing time would be Larraz, Warner and perhaps Kelly.
We're playing at home to the last place team in the West that is also probably travel fatigued from playing in Portland on Saturday. I think you want to gamble and play a weaker lineup to try and have as many of our main guys fresh as possible for Saturday in Salt Lake...particularly since they have a Wednesday game as well.
I disagree. Make sure you get the points at home. Then take the RSL game as it comes. We just left 2 home points on the table Saturday, we don't want to do that again.
2-1 win, goals by Rubio and Barrios. Dallas is quite bad and we should really expect nothing less than 3 points here. I expect Barrios wants to get one against his former team and Rubio will be rested after the break on Saturday. We should not be sweating the end of this game out, we should have it well in hand. http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2021/07/messing-with-texasyet-again.html
I might finally be at a game early enough to tailgate, is there a C-38 Tailgate this year east of the stadium? I haven't seen one on that south spot they used a couple of years ago.
I was thinking the same scoreline, but with GOAL Bassett taking the team lead with his 4th goal of the season in the first half, and Shinyashiki with the nail in the coffin in the 65th+ min
For future reference the C38 tailgate has been back on every game since the stadium went back to full capacity on the 4th of July. in its normal spot just south of Eighteen76.
What an angle on Abubakars goal here! He came FLYING in 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iXohwLoskA— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 22, 2021
Wonderful goal by Abubakr. Barrios' shot should have been saved, but great for him to score against Dallas once again. Shinyashiki must get better. Giveaways and poor finishes continue. Some really tired players resulted in some very intriguing substitutions. Warner dancing with the ball was worth the price of admission! And Drew "The Closer" Moor clears a shot from the line (at least I think it was he) after Yarbrough decides to do a walkabout. I don't know how to watch the "kinder, gentler" version of Rubio who played last night. Not one complaint when fouled; not one flop. Instead, he got up quickly and got on with the game. Did someone finally convince him that he will never get the benefit of the doubt on a possible foul against him until he behaves? Did MLS take pity on us after the last game? The match officials were actually quite good.
Fraser seemed to follow this approach. Fortunately we were able to get a lead early enough in the game that we could sub people off and close up shop. Hopefully that extra rest will come in handy on Saturday. Inversely, Salt Lake ended up dropping 2 points last night and didn't make subs as early as we did. Hopefully that means they have heavy legs this weekend or are forced to play with a weaker lineup.