Figured I'd start it now, since I want to forget about last night completely other than the Yankees' elimination. Anyway, a much better, more complete effort will be needed, or this will be the last MLS Rapids match this season. Any aniticpated lineup changes? Formations?
Jeff, who's the hookup for a "YANKEES SUCK" t-shirt?? Anyway... I'm glad to see that all the LA fans are bagging in the series already, they don't have a clue as to what will be waiting for them in Denver... Everything looked disjointed game 1, hopefully they feel that was the true Rapids team...
For what its worth, Titus played 90 minutes in the last Rapids regular season game at the RB, and the score was 4-0 to the LAG. I do not think LAG is 4-0 better than Colorado, but I do think you are fooling yourself if you think Titus alone makes that much difference. I agree it will be a much closer and better game in Denver on Wednesday, and I would not be completely surprised if Rapids take the result. LAG has had a problem (until the very end of the season) stringing together consecutive good performances. However, much depends on whether the LAG mid-field can continue to neutralize Pibe. If they deny him the ball, as they did Saturday, he is as much a non-factor as if Rapids were playing a man down. After watching the NE v Columbus game yesterday, you have to like the chances of whichever team comes out of our side of the bracket.
Is this true? Ouch. Reasonable chances just became much slimmer. I was going to say a reversal back to the 3-man back line with the insertion of Kingsley back in the lineup for some more offensive punch. But with Fraser missing (if true), I suspect the only change will be a straight insertion of Titus for Fraser, keeping the 4-man back line, and hoping Chung and Henderson can apply enough pressure on LA to keep the game honest, and hope Spencer gets a blast off or Carrieri can outrun Lalas through the box. Carlos needs to be on his game as LA, with their 5-man midfield, will be coming in all directions, and Colorado may have to play more direct than their usual 1 and 2-touch passing. Someobdy (Hart? or Kotschau? depending on which side he's on) has to contain Cobi who's playing with the experience of a 33-year old but the legs and body of a 23-year old and Titus will have to put the Canadian stranglehold on Ruiz once and for all. After all that, Anshutz should pay a visit before the game to the ref to slip him a couple Gs, maybe with the promise of 2 lesbian lovers in Hotel Room 69, as long as a few calls go the Rapids way. If everything goes according to plan, 3-1 Rapids, and everyone's on their way to the beautiful City of Fullerton.
This was in today's Rapidfire: "Caution Point Troubles Heading into Game #2 vs. Los Angeles, Colorado defensive anchor Robin Fraser must be conscious of the MLS disciplinary committee, as he is in danger of reaching the caution points threshold of 13 set for MLS postseason action. Players who accumulate THIRTEEN (13) or more caution points will be suspended for the next Playoff Game (including the Championship Game, if applicable) and fined. If Fraser receives a caution worth 2 or more points in the next game in which he appears, it will result in a 1-game suspension, as he currently sits at 11 points." They strangely forgot to mention Ruiz. Isn't he on the brink as well?
11 points for Fraser? MLSnet.com says he's on 13 right now. http://www.mlsnet.com/library/2001/cards.html The only Galaxy player mentioned is Lalas, who has 11 caution points. I didn't see anything about Ruiz - all he's had in the post-season were yellows in games 2 and 3 against KC.
I'd love to see the Rapids rebound and send this back to LA 3-3. I just don't see it happening unless the defense all of a sudden gets a jlot of confidence and can keep everyone marked for the full 90 and maybe more.
I'm not too hopeful... maybe ~8K or so. It's a mid-week, while the last home game wasn't on a "school night"... somewhere over ~9K for that one. Nothing like the ~24K that LA saw Saturday... that's damned impressive.
I have 0 clue as to Fraser's situation. Before the last game it says players in danger, Fraser 11 points in 3 games, he gets a card, gets pushed up to 13. Then it says this. * All Players will start the Playoffs with zero points. Players who then accumulate THIRTEEN (13) or more caution points will be suspended for the next Playoff Game (including the Championship Game if applicable) and fined $250. Any suspension for Yellow Card points received in a Player’s last Playoff Game will not carry over into the next League Season. Furthermore, Players who receive a yellow card in THREE (3) consecutive Playoff Games in which they appear, which card totals equal more than TEN (10) points shall be suspended for the next Playoff Game (including the Championship Game if applicable). So he should be supsended both ways, yet he's still only listed as in danger..... Anyone know for certain whats going on?
I'm guessing 6,482 sold for this match. I suspect the Rapids break out a three man back line and insert Kingsley into the midfield to get that early goal on LA. They have to put it all on the line tomorrow. Why not try and pound them into the ground with some heavy running early. Besides, if they tie or win they win a trip to beautiful Orange County and if they win there they can slide on over to Disneyland. Is Garlick ready to go yet?
If Phil decides to fix the game, he could do it the old fashioned way and have a henchman, like Phil Nacchio, go talk the ref into some creative officiating in line with Quest accounting. I doubt Phil will use lesbians because he is a notorious social concervative and was a financial supporter of Amendment 2. He does not believe any government should include sexual orientation as protected status along with age, race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Employing lesbians for the purpose of furthering a business outcome would just be wrong. Why degrade yourself that way when you can just line the guy's pockets? I, however, would be tempted by such a degrading tactic. To bad I have no power that can be turned for evil. Just ask my wife.
Re: Re: Re: 10/9 Rapids - Galaxy Game 2 (R) I suppose the MetroStars would have drawn better? If they were in the playoffs, that is? Pathetic is the target market of the Metros having five times the population than that of the Rapids, yet still drawing fewer total fans. Let's be honest, even if the Rapids only draw 7,500 fans tonight that's an outstanding number for a weeknight game, especially considering the Avalanche home opener is right across the street.
Unlike MetroStars fan, I am getting ready to head out of work to get ready to to to the playoff game. Hopefully, this will be deja vu and we see the Rapids adapt as they did against Dallas. If not, I am drinking beer on a school night and will celebrate the season. (Actually, the beer thing is going to happen win or lose.) I have already got my kitchen pass from my wife renewed and put the deposit on the season tickets for next year. Whatever happens tonight, it has at least been an incredibly exciting year. I just hope that they play as hard as they did against Dallas the last two games. Go Rapids!
You're right on most points. Titus is out for a reason. ...Raps also have a problem stringing 2 good games together. ...Pibe being neutralized only generates 1/2 of what you imply because he is already a defensive liability But take away his passing and we are truly a man down. ...For my money, LA is the team to beat and the Raps will need to play above their best so far to deny them.
Just like the Dallas Burn, they play at home and get to stay at home. Iffy passing tonight. The ball was bouncing hard off everyone feet. What was the deal with the ref? He was helping everyone up when they were down. Patting guys on their arses. Not calling hand balls or fouls. And my favorite, getting in the way of passes. He stunk too.
I thought he was better then most mls refs, he didn't look feeble in his calls (that is he seemed confident which is better then most), he didn't call it a few times when ruiz stupidly made meals of things, althought I think Hart deserved a yellow for knocking simon senseless on the sideline. However, not sure if you saw the game on tv or at the statdium, but they had stats up on how Colorado has NEVER scored a goal against LA in the playffs, something like 400 minutes without a goal, so I think you guys were pretty much snake bitten in this series. At least this one wasn't too physical and tempers didn't flare (although watching chung and ezra go out it made me chuckle), which is a nice change. Good luck next year with your new hardcore black and blue uniforms.
Not a sturdy game but very entertaining. No doubt LA is better but they were tougher than Dallas. I'm happy with what I've seen so far with the Rapids and I'm happy to say that there playoff performance has earned them 2 new season ticket holders. BTW, I think the Black & Blue will be a cool uniform, especially if we can get rid of the Kappas. Also believe it or not, I am pulling for LA in the cup. I hate Cobi and Ruiz sure dives alot for an MVP but there definetly the better team. Where was Lalas tonight?