P/I/P Black diamond run #9 Rapids @ Chicago Sting/Fire United Bridgeviewers, Sat 11AM

Ha! Hudson gets "Fired" lol. The puns on this thread are going to be "lit" I'm sure

 

I have absolutely no reason for optimism, but I just have this feeling we get our first win. Hudson has managed to be a horrible coach, yet somehow get a win right after setting some sort of record. As this seems to be the worst start ever (Jason, are we there yet?), it is time that the team pulls something out.

Likely due to Chicago not paying attention. Scores don't indicate, but the team has been more competitive than last year. Which means one of these weeks they will pull it all together for 95 minutes (instead of 80 minutes) and we nab a win. Followed by another string of losses.

Why not this week?

 

Will this be like last year when after setting losing records he threw out lineups with as many CB's as he could find?

 

Rapids' website says it'll be on Altitude. Don't know if I'll watch live - my daughter and grandkids are coming down to see us at some point, and they're much more interesting.

Feeling a little optimism because Chicago has been poor like us, but still wouldn't bet on Rapids to win if I were a betting man. We're still too weak defensively to have much confidence.

 

I do want to be clear. I see NO reason the Rapids get any points this week. Just that it has to happen sometime.

(in case there are any Chicago people lurking that think we actually have an expectation of winning).

 

Forecast is sunny, high of 59. Doesn't look like weather will be an equalizer, which seems to be our best bet these days.

I'll predict 3-1 Fire.

 

Looks like refs will be:

Stat per game comparison so far this season:

Rapids Fire
1.3 Goals For 1.8 Goals For
2.0 Goals Against 2.7 Goals Against
80% Passing 80% Passing
15.0 Shots For 14.7 Shots For
6.8 Shots Against 10.7 Shots Against
49% Possession 46% Possession

 

If the Rapids keep the offense going.
If they focus on defending and all11 contribute.
If they give it their all and aggressively battle for the ball on every challenge.
If Hudson shows some energy.
If they start to believe in themselves.

Then
Rapids 3-0 Fire
Probability of this is 2%

Rapids 1-2 Fire after leading after 15 minutes
Probability 60%

Rapids 0-1 Fire
Probability 38%


Nuff said

 

Chicago is 1-1-2 at home, 1.25 PPG. They are on pace for 34 points this season.

Colorado is 0-3-0 on the road, 0.00 PPG. The Rapids have allowed the most goals in the MLS (19). They are on pace for 10 points this season. Yes, ten. That's six points worse than the worst team in MLS history.

Hudson needs to win four straight matches to have the team on pace for the last playoff spot at the one-third mark.

#HudsonOut

 

Good to see a lot of this in the thread.

 

Luckily I am reffing tomorrow so I won't be in a position to decide whether to watch or not.

 

Wait! Are you saying we might see Anthony's lethal 9-0-1 formation again!?! Awesome! I bet he's bringing Boli in again for this speciality "man on an island" role that he placed the striker in last year. He must've mastered the role.

Unfortunately (THANKFULLY!) I have a U6 game to attend in the morning which will preclude viewing the 'Pids. But at least I'll get to see quality soccer tomorrow!

 

I'm sure its going to be another "we will score goals, but the defense will completely fv<k everything up" episode.

 

Injury report:

 

I put a paper bag on my head last week and predicted a win. I won't be fooled again.

2-1 loss, Kai with the goal. Hoping I'm dead wrong, but the best I can envision on the road is a tie. And despite my grumblings about his errors, I start Sjoberg at CB.

 

Looks like Ford is the only one on the injury report this week #Rapids96 https://t.co/5dn00gnTER

— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) April 19, 2019

 

I just noticed, 11AM. Very early...wonder why?

 

I am unable to come up with anything about the upcoming game.......I suspect 11am is a TV request......

The Fire/Sting screwed up putting the stadium out in the 'burbs when downtown Chicago would have been Da' Bomb.

Given these squads form, whomever plays less poor will win. Sigh. I actually did have some positive expectations for this team this year. I guess this is "The Rapids Way". Glad I didn't renew my season tickets.

R

 

I bet the 'Pids pull it out this week, Rapids 2-1, goals by Kai and Bennie

Also, agree with all the Hudson Out talk but there is now way that KSE would have three coaches on contract (Pablo's still getting paid through the end of the season). So, I see this as Hudson playing for his job for the rest of the season.

 

The issue isn't getting rid of Hudson. The issue is paying for a replacement mid-season. If Hudson and Smith both walk the plank, the move would at least partially offset the cost of a third coach. Also, if they named a player as interim coach, there would be some offset. The season's lost anyway. My bet would be on an interim player-coach. (Feilhaber?)

Hudson probably gets until the RSL match to turn things around. He pretty much needs to run the table the next four matches to have the team anywhere near contention for the last playoff spot. That's a tall order, given the team's current form. Today and next Saturday are road matches, and the next two are against opponents who have started to awaken from their early season slumbers.

May 11 is circled on my calendar. If the Rapids haven't snagged at least 7 points in the next four matches, any other team would tell a coach to hit the road (if they hadn't already done so). Remember, the middle third of the season is no walk in the park and the final third of the season is fairly brutal. The team's form is unlikely to improve as the season progresses past the RSL match.

 

I understand your arguments, but this is, after all, the Rapids and I fully expect Anthony Hudson to be the coach at least through the end of this season, if not longer. The Kroenke organization seems to go with the concept of bare minimum soccer--a keeper, ten players running around in the same uniforms, and a coach of some sort. After that, sell as many group tickets as possible and make the season tickets hard to cancel.

As for the Chicago game, this is the period of the season when most teams have figured out the weaknesses of the other teams and their players. Teams like Cincinnati and Orlando might have gotten some wins earlier but now everybody knows how to beat them. Colorado was figured out last year. The Fire are at home and they're playing better lately so I expect them to win 3 -1.