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 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.

And I’ll wrap up the post by sharing my faith in Fernando Clavijo, an important angle to mention because it definitely colors what I write about the team.

Steve Davis’ Rapids preview for ESPN.com makes for the highest profile entry. He raises the expected issues – e.g. can anyone make the Rapids offense function – but he also picks on one I rate fairly highly on the roster of Rapids’ woes: “is there an overall plan?” Just sad how fair a question that is. In a very-related post, FC Rocky responded to Davis’ preview, raising questions about what does and does not constitute a “key loss” as well as defending the Christian Gomez signing.

Back to pure previews, WVHooligan is busily posting away a series of season previews, apparently going alphabetically. As such, his Rapids preview came early. The familiar striker/supplier issues crop up here as well, but WV also opens the Clavijo Job Watch (formally, as well as in the preview). My favorite angle in this one, though, is what happened to the Rapids once-formidable home-field advantage.

Rounding out the field is USSoccerplayers.com’s somewhat quirky pre-season offering. These essentially answer the question, if I became a Rapids’ fan, what should I expect?

Now, my faith in Fernando. I suppose one could say it’s negative. To clarify, I have faith that Fernando will contrive to ruin the most promising of situations. To give an example, I’d lay even money that Clavijo could coach Barcelona – yes, that Barcelona; and as currently comprised – into a mid-table position in the United Soccer Leagues Division 1. That may read harshly, but I suffered through the man’s New England years as well. Honestly, I have yet to see him achieve anything to recommend him as a coach, never mind a head coach.

So, yeah, I’d call that a bias. All for now.