Let’s look at the numbers: Dallas is a very average club. Their goal scoring average is 0.05 under the league average of 1.45. Their goal allowance average is 0.05 over that same average. The Rapids on the other hand have averages better then the league average, albeit not by as much as they were earlier in the season. These two clubs are fairly similar statistically. It’s also worth noting that accounting for the extra game Dallas has had this year, the Rapids are actually ahead of them on the table. Dallas has a Win Percentage of 0.433 whereas the Rapids have 0.444. These clubs are also very similar in that respect.

The fact that the Rapids are so close with Dallas in Win Percentage is a very good sign if the first nine games are any indication. Dallas currently has a 0.433 record. Against clubs that have a lower record then that, the Rapids are 0.333. Against opponents with a better record, the Rapids are 0.667. I don’t know for sure what that means, but it seems to indicate that Colorado tends to underestimate bad clubs, but against good or average clubs, they do well.

Of course, all of these numbers are only worth so much, and what will really matter is if the Rapids can get their passing under control. I would look for a four man midfield on Sunday because, thinking like Fernando, passing usually improves with a less cluttered midfield. I’m not sure clutter was the problem last week, but it’s worth a shot if that’s what he concludes.

Oh, and Preston is getting his first league start between the posts this week, so let’s keep an eye back there.

The US Open Cup always is fun. Everyone likes a knockout competition, and it’s always fun to see MLS flex their muscles (except for when that doesn’t happen. At least the Rapids might get back at the Sounders next year).

As far as I can tell, there is no way for Coloradans to see this game, which is a bummer considering that any game in the Open Cup could be the last. On the other hand, versus the Galaxy (without the only players who can score), probably not.

UPDATE: Odds are the Rapids won’t be starting their first XI tonight either. Ugo is going to be on Marcello’s show live tonight, so he isn’t going to be in LA. That makes me wish I could see the game even more. With our team’s depth, I would like to see our backups take the field.

Oh, and I guess it couldn’t hurt to make a prediction on this one: LA Galaxy 1-2 Colorado Rapids.
And that’s assuming they field Buddle. If not, forget about it: shutout.

Speaking of shutouts, Preston will probably be making his appearance as a member of the Rapids tonight. There’s only one chance to make a first impression, buddy. Do it well.

The Good News
That has to be one of the top five (three?) Rapids goals ever.

The other bit of good news is that the errors that cost the Rapids the game would have lost any game no matter the formation. In my broken mind, that’s a good thing. It means that if the team fixes that one problem, they still have their strengths: depth, versatility, and perseverance. I hope Fernando tries the 3-5-2 when the club is a bit more to form sometime. I’ve never seen a boring game when a team takes that formation. Ugo counts as two central defenders, so with great attackers like Facundo and Kosuke, the 3-5-2 has a lot of potential.

But even with Kljestan, Chivas is not penetrating the Rapids’ defense. As far as scoring goes, they either explode (like last week vs. DC) or struggle (like against Houston before that). I don’t see them or any other team exploding against Colorado.

On our side of the ball, the Rapids have never lost against Chivas at home (although they came close in 2006. Relive one of the most exciting Rapids games of all time with me, won’t you?). A win would finally put Colorado over 0.500 for the first time since opening day.

Also note: tomorrow is Bouna’s last game with the club for about a month. He’s going over to Senegal to help his nation qualify for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. I don’t have a stake in Africa, so why not: Come on, Senegal! Bouna deserves it. I’ve never seen a more fearless goalkeeper.

Another interesting tidbit: the Rapids’ match up page has Colin playing right back. Now that should be interesting to watch if it happens. It looks like he will be assuming the role of the great oxymoron in soccer and be an attacking defender, which means Fernando probably wants the team to play a bit more aggressively. I still doubt we’ll see any goals before the 60’ tomorrow, but who knows?

My prediction: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Chivas USA.

And that’s if Kljestan plays well. If not: shutout.

Other games:
Columbus Crew 2-1 New England Revolution

DC United 1-2 Toronto

Dallas 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 Kansas City Wizards

New York Red Bulls 1-1 Chicago Fire (This should be an incredible game. Catch it if you can.)

Dallas 1-1 Houston Dynamo

New England Revolution 2-1 DC United

While an average keeper would do well with this defense, it would be nice to have a solid backup at the only place in the roster where the Rapids are a bit thin.

Well, now they do. In exchange for Jovan and Kelly Gray, the Rapids have nabbed San Jose’s backup: Preston Burpo. He played for Chivas USA in 2006-07. He’s no star, and I doubt he will be down the road at 35 years of age, but in 2006, he did play 19 games for Chivas USA, and averaged 1.21 goals allowed per game. With the Rapids defense, he should more then a placeholder.

As for the Rapids’ end of the deal, Gray is no star. And Jovan: all I can say is it’s about time. He has had far more starts last year then he deserved. He did, on the other hand, have 6 goals, which was the best on the team (ugh), but three were on penalties which would have been made just as easily (probably) by Herculez or even Terry. He might get the new club boost for a few games, but my guess is that Kirovski is on his way out.

So, let’s get to know the newest member of the Club, and enjoy a shutout of RSL from 2006 by Preston.

Let me start by offering a formal apology for predicting yesterday that Salt Lake would score a goal. That was shameful and, in retrospect, I don’t know what I was thinking. I will put forth great effort to avoid saying such hideous things in the future.

This game was textbook Colorado Rapids, start to finish. Here’s how the Rapids win for those who don’t get to see many of their games (you’re missing out by the way). The Rapids can be described in one word: relentless. What was the difference between the play that scored and the attempts that came before it? Nothing, except that it was the seventh time the Rapids did it. The Rapids are very effective with the soccer fundamentals. They don’t try anything fancy (usually) to trick the defense. They play soccer by the textbook: work the ball through the midfield and send it up front when a forward makes a good run. That’s it, and they do it exceptionally. They’ll do it again and again, and, come the second half, the defense is tired enough and has tried to stop the same play enough that they make one mistake, and the Rapids finish strong. At that point, the Rapids use the lead to open up the field a little and control the rest of the game, usually scoring one or two more. It’s simple, methodical, and effective, and it’s a sight to see. The numbers show it, too: the Rapids have scored 13 goals this year so far and ONE of those goals have been scored in the first half. Scoreless at half time is SOP for Colorado. They look like a group of guys who go out and do what they practiced together. It’s fun to see that payoff for them.

Congratulations for a good individual effort, as usual, to Kosuke. Facundo also played good defense and provided some excellent service forward to feed the attack. He’s a real two-way soccer player. Christian was flawless in the midfield as usual, and Colin simply owned the right wing. Heck, I couldn’t find a bad thing to say about a single one of them if I wanted to.

Here’s an interesting note: with a New York – Kansas City draw on Saturday (it could happen), the Rapids take position in the last SuperLiga spot. Either way, let’s cheer for a Dallas – Las Angeles draw on Saturday, and the Rapids will be two points ahead. Even if that doesn’t happen, unless Dallas wins by 3 (unlikely), the Rapids stay where they belong: first place.

And now, on to the real fun: The Rocky Mountain Cup. This should be another exciting year in Real underperformance. If they fail to make the playoffs this year, they tie the league record for longest playoff missing streak (4). The only good thing about Salt Lake making the playoffs would be the possibility of the Rapids knocking them out.

And why would they make the playoffs? Do they have any reason to think that this year will be any different from the last three? They don’t have Pope, Adu, or even Eskandarian any more. Their best player is either Rimando, their frickin’ goalkeeper, or Beckerman. As for Beckerman, I liked him when he was here, but that’s about as far as it goes. I’ll be honest: I’m finding him a lot easier to dislike then to like. It’ll be fun to see him as captain in a Pablo vs. Beckerman match up. It will also be fun to make jokes about him staring Geico commercials.

This is the first and probably only season in which one team will have home-field advantage in the Rocky Mountain Cup. Next year, with the addition of the Sounders to the West, the Rapids and Salt Lake will probably only get two games against each other each year, so this is going to be a good year to reestablish our dominance. A win tomorrow, and we’re halfway to having the Rocky Mountain Cup back in Colorado.

My Prediction: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Other Games:
Toronto 1-2 Columbus Crew
New York Red Bulls 1-1 Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Chicago Fire 2-0 Houston Dynamo
Chivas USA 2-2 DC United
Dallas 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Manchester Red Devils 1-0 Chelsea Pensioners
Toronto 2-1 DC United
San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Houston Dynamo

UPDATE: I’m kind of bummed The Salt Lake Offside doesn’t seem to have an author right now. To be honest, I was of looking forward to giving him a hard time whoever he was. On the other hand, he would live in Salt Lake City, so I kind of win that one by default. I mean, what kind of sports city is that? They’ve got a soccer team featuring captain hippie and a basketball team who’s star looks like a cross between Vanilla Ice and Ivan Drago.

UPDATE 2: Vegas is offering even money on the Rapids to win tonight. Either sports betting becomes legal within the next month, or I’m catching a bus to Vegas.

The biggest question on my mind as we await the game against Houston (with much anticipation, by the way) is who will be starting. The Rapids showed at the beginning of the year that they can play well in the 4-5-1. I would still prefer it because, as I’ve stated and overstated here on The Rapids Offside, this team’s power is in its midfield. A 4-5-1 allows the Rapids to keep LaBrocca on the field, and if there’s a spot for another midfielder, he’s certainly earned it. On the other hand, a 4-4-2 gets another forward up there, and Peterson’s goal in his first start this year makes a compelling case for it.

If I had to choose now, and everyone was healthy, it would go something like this:
———————Bouna——————–
—Kosuke—Facundo—Ugo—Jose—
Terry—Pablo—Christian—Nick—Colin
——————-Herculez——————-

That striker up front is a hard choice, but with a five man midfield (a few of which are very capable of scoring), Herculez, Jacob, Tom, or Omar are all fine choices.

But, looking at The Match Up page on the Rapids website, Fernando is trying something different this week. It’s right about 2/3 of the time, but it has projected Jordan Harvey playing in the back instead of Jose, Terry and Colin are benched (like last week), and Peterson’s on the left wing. If this is right, it sound’s like something Fernando might do. He seems to be playing around with the line-up while it’s still early in the season and the Rapids have a couple of easier games ahead of them, and that might be a good idea. I will certainly be interested to see how this works out, and if there’s any early season game that’s good for trying this out, it’s this one.

The match on Sunday was a great way to get back into the swing of things. The man of the match was defiantly Christian with two assists. Another high point was seeing Jacob Peterson back in the lineup. He gets better every year, and netted the game winner.

The 4-4-2 made it’s reappearance at Dick’s. Amazingly Colin Clark and Terry Cooke were absent in the starting lineup. Even though the Rapids did well, I would still like to go back to the five man midfield, but if they keep winning, of course I won’t make a fuss about it.

So, now not only is Colorado back in first place again, they next play the worst team in soccer, and then Salt Lake at home. So now it’s time to start looking at qualification for some international competitions next year. The Rapids are one point back from the last SuperLiga spot, and four points back from qualifying for the Champions League in the regular season. With the West in the shape it’s in this year, the Rapids could really get quite a few points ahead of the rest of the conference with their upcoming games.

The only other team in the West who is on par with the Rapids is Dallas. They their next games are against Salt Lake and Las Angeles, so these are important games for the Rapids to win.

UPDATE: Holy cow. Look at this Box Score. 17 shots. 17. No wonder DC allows 2 goals per game if they allow that many looks on goal. If not for some embarrassing misses by the Rapids, that would have been a blow out. It looks like there’s not a lot of defense being played in DC this year.