The Rapids next home/home series begins Friday at 7:00 PM broadcast on ESPN2.
The next two games should be the easiest of the remaining six as only NYRB with 16 have less points then San Jose’s 20.
While not a must win in the purest sense of the term, it is for those trying to get a handle on the likelihood of the Rapids getting back in the play-offs as three more away games, against stronger opponents, loom in the next six weeks.
The Rapids remain shorthanded. Missing expected starters, Matt Pickens, Pablo Mastroeni, Colin Clark and Jamie Smith. I don’t see much difference between Pickens and Preston Burpo and Nick LaBrocca has done well filling in for Pablo. The team does miss both Clark and Smith, however. Jacob Peterson has exceeded my expectations filling one of those slots, but he lacks the explosive danger of Clark and the possession and field vision of Smith. The other spot has been filled by Mehdi Ballouchy or Pat Noonan, both most notable by their inconsistent play.
The Rapids back four of Kimura, Moor, Baudet and Harvey are, in my opinion, the best back four the team has fielded this year. Some have argued, putting Palguta in the center and moving Moor to Kimura’s spot, freeing up Kimura to move to the midfield makes the team even stronger. I agree and would like to see a back four of Moor Baudet Palguta and Harvey. Midfielders to be Kimura LaBrocca, Mehdi and Peterson with the best forward combination in MLS, Casey and Cummings up top.
San Jose hasn’t played an MLS game since August 29th. It’s just been announced that Darren Huckerby is out with season ending surgery. Arturo Alvarez and Bobby Convey are questionable. San Jose is on the edge of elimination from MLS contention and no doubt will be doubly hungry to win due to the layoff and their precarious play-off position.
Last weeks results were a good news/bad news situation. The good news is the Rapids lost no ground to Houston and L.A. and are in good shape to overtake them. The bad news is Seattle did overtake them, Chivas caught up and RSL is knocking on the door. In short, six points separate the top six teams. Chivas is in the best position as they have three games in hand on Houston, two on L.A., Seattle and RSL and one on the Rapids. The Rapids have a game in hand on L.A and RSL and two on Houston. As we know, games in hand mean nothing unless they result in points.
The Rapids could end the weekend out of the play-offs or in second place in the West. That statement may end up being repeated weekly until the final game against RSL on October 24th.
A win Friday night should boost them the following Wednesday and those six points could put them in the drivers seat down the stretch. A loss Friday doesn’t end their hopes but wouldn’t inspire much confidence they can win in Dallas, K.C or even RSL.
Related posts:
