The USOC 4th round draw is out and the Rapids will be hosting either the ex-Rapids on the Switchbacks or the gang from the desert (ex-water) of Arizona United.
Any clues to the dates from USSoccer? Or its all TBD until this round is wrapped up? Might be a fun mid-week game to hit up, and if its the CSSwitchbacks, possibly a good travelling supporters group too.
I just was looking and they updated their site: http://thecup.us/2016/04/07/2016-lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-schedule-results/ So it's the same time frame as Copa Centenario that week it appears...wonder if that means 2nd team players?
So Serna for Gashi, Solignac for Doyle, Powers for Jones and Watts for Azira...much like 2015, not sure I like it....
Am looking forward to seeing some of our "second" team players get a run. Last year they were starters, so thinking they may have some interest in doing well.
.@SwitchbacksFC make easy work of @AZUnitedSC with a 3-0 win. Will visit @ColoradoRapids in Fourth Round play on June 15. #USOC2016— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 2, 2016
we haven't received any details on tickets from @ColoradoRapids quite yet. We will share ticket details as soon as we can.— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) June 2, 2016
The U.S. Open Cup game has been rescheduled TUESDAY, June 14th at 7pm, per the Colorado Springs Gazette: http://gazette.com/schedule-change-announced-for-switchbacks-rapids-game/article/1577508
OFFICIAL: #Rapids96 to face @SwitchbacksFC on June 14th at 7 PM in the 4th round of @opencup https://t.co/zFIrWSVGcF pic.twitter.com/WFQtKllGYp— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 3, 2016 Tickets on sale Monday @ 10 am. GA seating $15, $10 for STH.
Last year the Rapids won 4-1, apparently with this lineup: (Guessing on L/R and formation, I don't remember the lineup) ----------MacMath Hairston-O'Neill-Greenspan-Riley ----------Cronin-Pittinari Eloundou-Serna-LaBrocca ----------Badji This year, it could be: ----------MacMath Williams-Burling-Sjoberg-Burch ----------Azira-Cronin Solignac--Powers--Serna ----------Doyle So, I guess they shouldn't have too much trouble?
Oh yeah, 18 - 14, that's not a lot. I wonder who will play. Do we have any idea what's up with Badji? He's been out of the 18 at least the last two weeks. Lineup? (I assume Badji is still hurt.) The bench isn't that big, so I'm not sure which starters would play. It seems like Watts is the only real backup for both dmids and both CB's. Miller was played at CB, but then they wouldn't be able to rest one of the fullbacks. --------------Froschauer? Castillo-Burling-Sjoberg-Miller ----------Azira-Watts Hairston--Powers--Serna ----------C.Doyle
Badji's been injured the last couple of weeks. My guess: MacMath (since he's about to lose his starting job) Hairston - Castillo - Watts - Miller Azira - Cronin Serna - Powers - Badji/Solignac C.Doyle
I believe Castillo is back with Charlotte and thus not available. Silly MLS, scheduling games Saturday and Wednesday with acres of weekend slots available. I know that its Copa America/Euro time, but still . . . For the Open Cup match I expect to see Froschauer as he hasn't had a minute since preseason and once Howard is here he may disappear into a black hole. Beyond Froschauer, there may well be a mixture of first teamers and guys who are fighting to get on the pitch (Conor Doyle) as well as playes like Miller coming back from injury.
You're right, I forgot about that. Normally I'd say Froschauer, but I think the USOC will be MacMath's as long as the team stays in it. Its something for him to show his play in on the off chance somebody comes looking for him in a trade.
Good point. Do the Rapids hold onto MacMath the rest of the season? Or if they get a good offer once Howard is here do they take it? And if MacMath is traded before the end of the season will Howard be durable and thus the Rapids avoid having to put Froschauer in with no MLS experience?
My bet is any trade would be in the offseason, but remember they could recall Berner from Charlotte should they trade MacMath.
Huh. Does it seem like it's a thin bench this year? I guess Castillo, I can see him going if they have Hairston and Miller as backup fullbackups. But it seems odd that Watts is the first sub for both CB's and both D-mids. I'm not really sure who the second sub for those positions is...maybe Miller.