7 pm, MST at DSGP. Home opener with a good looking team and new food options. Plus, the weather looks to be exceptional for March - don't mean to jinx anything here . According to Pádraig, Benezet will be available for this match. Doubt he'll start, but perhaps he'll play the last 20 minutes or so. Not much reason to expect a different set of starters from last week.
I usually don't go until April, work/ski weekends in March; but last minute I am able to make this. My package starts in April, but I'm buying ticket for this one. Excited. Can't get there early due to youth, but I'll be there.
With Nani being out suspended again, I fully expect the Rapids to have a really good chance at this one. That being said, the Rapids are 0W-4L-1D all time against Orlando, so history has not been kind. The Lions seemed pretty toothless against RSL, but they had their chances to create something. Abubakar got pulled around a bit last game, so I expect Pareja’s team to try to exploit that against us. I still think we win this one though. Orlando scores first, but we go in to halftime 1-1. Kei gets a double, and Namli opens his account for the good guys. Rapids win 3-1
IIRC, Pareja's teams have not been considered great at defending. Thus, I expect the Rapids to have success in the attack. And should they have a lead the counter will be available to score more goals. Yes, Abubakar gets adventuresome at times and this pulls him a bit far from goal. Fortunately, the Rapids haven't repeatedly paid a price for this. My philosophy is that should a central defender go chasing an attacker or a pass at distance from the goal he better make the play. Most of the time Lalas does so, but certainly not 100%.
Pretty sure Pareja has a losing record against the Rapids. I watched their home opener last week against Salt Lake, and they looked pretty underwhelming...and that was against a team that nobody rates and will probably end up on the wrong side of the playoff line come October. This is a game we should win. Buuuuuut this is the Rapids, so bungling winning opportunities is far from unprecedented.
Nani out via suspension creates a whole different dynamic for OC. I think they played a 4-5-1 against RSL with Thornton's own Tesho Akindele playing the #9. That's not his strength. Tesho's more suited coming from the wing. While he can be dangerous, I think Abubakar and Moor have him locked down. Mendez and Pereyra look the part but I have yet to see either one of them take the chances given to them to create goals. On our attack..... we have to exploit the space behind Ruan and Moutinho. Those two will push high and Lewis, Shinyashiki, and Nicholson can have a field day down those wings. Price, Acosta, and Namil will control that middle. I have little doubt about that. Prediction - Rapids win 3-1 (goals from Nicholson, Kei, and Rubio (off the bench)
I don't think there's anything really new here, but with the first match on the horizon time to take a look: Two more days until the home opener is finally here!We have two important documents regarding the Fan Code of Conduct!#Rapids96— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 5, 2020
Going out on a limb here • Starters for this match will be the same as last week • Mezquida will come in for Namli at about the 70th minute • Benezet will also a second half sub • The Rapids will score at least 2 goals
Should I break down and buy one of those see thru NFL bags? More and more stadiums are moving to the tiny bag rules, some see through (I think CU is like that). The size limits makes it harder to pack extra clothing and blankets...I guess you have to wear them and and can take it off once inside.
Enjoy going to the games while we can. I'll be shocked of no MLS games get postponed or played behind closed doors during this pandemic.
@AbbieMood has a brief conversation with Mane Land here. No Nani or Dwyer for this match and they feel defending is a strength, but scoring goals is an issue. 3 Questions with The Mane Land ahead of #COLvORL #Rapids96 https://t.co/y1YIc6Geoi pic.twitter.com/JtssENmHcQ— Abbie Mood (@AbbieMood) March 6, 2020
In all seriousness, if anyone has a fever or cough, do us a favor and skip the game tomorrow (and party tonight). I know it sucks but with this virus you don't want to be the reason your fellow Rapids fans all end up in quarantine.
My line of work leaves me and colleagues susceptible to disease spread. I concur with this post. I’ll be staying home if I start to feel poorly.
Absolutely. I don’t want to get the flu, mumps or measles which all have vaccines available that some choose to not get. Please be considerate of others.
Funny thing, I sold my tickets today because I seem to have got my teenage son's cold. Not coughing or anything, but very tired and have head ache. He started to get sick this week and missed his youth soccer games this weekend. So he was out, but the other person I was taking was my father, who is like 80, so I was kind of worried about him going out in public. They sold pretty quick and I didn't discount much, so hopefully there is still a good crowd. The other funny thing is I originally thought I couldn't make it this weekend so I only bought them on Tuesday. Good section too. Oh well. I have 2 tickets in C-38 section to all the spring home games starting in April - June so hopefully this passes by then. My sorry sick ass will be at home tonight wishing Comcast still carried Altitude.