Rapids @ Timbers, Friday, Aug. 25 8:30pm MT Pre/In/Post

NBC Sports programming folks at the beginning of the year: "That back to back with the Rapids and Portland late in the year should be some compelling games with both teams battling for a playoff spot." "Oh yeah, yeah. And to have them home and home like that will be great!"
NBC Sports programming folks now: "Anybody have any good story lines for why people should watch these games?" "..."

I'm guessing Freeman is in the dog house until Marshall gets hurt again. Maybe he should think about converting to RM. His crosses are a weapon, but his defending has been lacking too often. Something to work on for the off-season maybe? Mullan will be at RM and Moor will be at RB for this game though. I think the only thing that saves Zapata from the same fate is that Wahl just isn't good enough and Pareja has a shorter leash on Freeman than Zapata.

Here's to hoping that a Rapids forward gets on a hot streak starting this Friday!

 

A positive about this game. No Marcelo "Look at this, look at this" Balboa providing commentary!

 

Fixed.

We might yank a positive result out of this, but the San Jose debacle really demolished my confidence of this team being capable of much of anything. Portland are bad, but they're not 1996 bad.

 

Quinn, you weren't predicting a wooden spoon at the beginning of the year and most fans figured the Rapids would at least be in the playoff race at this point, even if we didn't all think they would be successful at it.

 

I know that, and I wasn't trying to hide it. If I would have expected the wooden spoon at the beginning of the year, I would be quite pleased with the state of the team now.

Anyway...I was trying to be clever and it fell flat. Here is something to distract you instead:

 

2-2 tie. Goals by Casey and another defender. Rivero gets another assist. We come back to DSGP the following Wednesday and win. That'll bring us to 30 points, and keep Portland well behind us.

 

2-1 Portland

 

Still want to see Armstrong at RB with Mullan at RW, would like to see how that combo would work.

 

If there's a place the Rapids should be able to get a point or three it's Portland. It won't be easy though.

I'd be curious (this isn't reality of course) to see what a boxier approach would do....

---------Cascio ---------------Akpan or Hill
------------Castrillon-------Rivero
--------------Nane--------Ginga
Zapata---------------------------------Mullan
----------------Wynne --- Moor
---------------------Pickens

 

Timbers, 100 Celsius - Rapids, absolute Kelvin

 

Casey comes up with a second-half goal for a 1-0 win. Many viewers don't see the goal because the match is pretty unwatchable.

 

Timbers sort of have a new coach- Porter takes over at conclusion of Akron season.

 

I'll be watching this one live . First Rapids road trip for me.

 

Take some "Keep Boulder Weird" stickers to paste over Portland's knock offs on random vehicles?

 

Wait, more Austin rip offs? Weak.

 

My favorite was a bumpersticker I saw on a trip out there that said "Make Austin Normal".

Oh yeah, and ugliest, most boring 1-1 tie seen in ages.

 

Sounds like Omar's ankles were worse than anticipated - hope he gets back to health quickly! (His right ankle is only 80%)
Source: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/08/30/rapids-cummings-fights-through-pain-search-form

 

The Rapids are 2-11-0 on the road, with 8 straight road losses.
The only road wins have been:
+ March 18, at Philadelphia. That was back when we still had hope and when everyone thought Philadelphia was a contender. Philadelphia's record currently is 7-13-4.
+ May 6, at FCD. The Rapids had a 2-man advantage most of the match. FCD is currently 8-12-8.

At 6-13-6, Portland is at least a possible chance for a road win. Maybe. *Shrug*

 

Historically, we're even off our average pace for our away record. All-time, the Rapids are 44W-101-L-40T on the road (post shootout era), which is a win percentage of .310.Take out Gary's years (our best years on the road) and our record is 29W-77-L-26T, which is a win percentage of .285

2-11-0 is .181.

 

Maybe ATX had these first?

 

2-1 win, goals by Casey and Larentowicz. I expect Kimura will get an assist as he helps to break down a defense he knows well, but Portland is a bad team. The Rapids can get two goals against them and take the 3 points.

http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2012/08/rapids-face-koz-and-timbers.html

 

Interesting read from Portlandia. Nice set of excuses listed for Rapids failures:
http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2012/...s-portland-timbers-opponent-preview#storyjump

I predict a tie away and a win at home wiff da Timbers.

 

Nice catch -- fair treatment of our problems in three easy pieces. (And lots of other pieces for others to write about unfortunately are there too.)