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.

Things didn’t look so bleak for the Los Angeles Galaxy by the end of the first half. And, yeah, one could argue Omar Cummings picked up a soft penalty kick; as Max Bretos noted in his commentary Cummings popped back to his feet to continue the play after Abel Xavier’s challenge. But a couple other phrases by Bretos – these came on either side of Colorado’s 4th goal, a particularly humiliating poke that, again, victimized Xavier and added LA ‘keeper Steve Cronin for good measure – speaks to how the game played out after that PK:

“Like lambs to the slaughter….”

“Like a hot knife through butter.”

So, the Rapids beat Los Angeles 4-0, a grim score in any part of the world. But it’s particularly grim from LA’s perspective: the Rapids haven’t beaten a team this badly since…nope, not 2007…there’s the 5-4 playoff win over FC Dallas in the 2006 playoffs, but that’s a close game, unlike last night; you have to go back to July 23, 2005 in order to see Colorado knock 4 past another team while also dominating – in this case, the Chicago Fire (archived results are available here). And, for the record, they had let in four goals on a couple occasions during that period – including the 5-0 pounding in last year’s U.S. Open Cup against the USL-1 Seattle Sounders. Even if I fudged the details, the larger point holds: the Rapids don’t very often do what they did last night. Nice way to start the season.

At the same time, how much of this was LA? I hinted at how badly LA played over on Center Holds It. Let’s just say such was LA’s defending that I’d wager the J.V. squad from the nearby high school could find a way through. Sure, it’s possible I’m wrong about LA, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Getting back to Colorado, though, a couple things stood out. In spite of an entirely competent night – and scoring on a PK to top it off – Christian Gomez didn’t mean as much to the game as Terry Cooke and, in the late going, Colin Clark. The team so far seems wed to last year’s formula of flying down the flanks – with the difference being it worked like gangbusters last night. It’s possible Cooke benefited from facing off against LA’s Michael Gavin, not to mention having the support of Kosuke Kimura for overlapping runs (he also shut Landon Donovan down; nice bonus, that); suffice to say, Colorado’s right laid open like a freeway at midnight. The left only opened up later, when being behind forced LA to chase the game, hence Clark’s “punking” of Xavier (it’s a Hollywood thing, Abel; get ready for more). All that said, though, having the flanks work should allow Gomez some room to operate in future.

If there’s one thing I’m uneasy about where Colorado is concerned it’s the somewhat random feel to their game. At times, it reminded me of basketball – e.g. isolating one flank player against one of LA’s defenders and putting it on them to beat them and make the opening. In other words, I saw fewer complicated build-ups and spells of possession than I saw a series of good, but opportunistic, plays. That’s not bad so much as it’s something you may not want to rely on for offense.

All in all, however, what’s not to like about a 4-0 win for your side? If you’re fishing for a bottom line, I’d dub this an encouraging performance with an asterisk stamped on the end of it: Colorado hasn’t won like this in forever, but *do keep the opposition in mind. Whether LA will be this awful in a couple months isn’t really the issue: they were frankin’ awful last night, bad enough that I’d recommend taking at least two of those goals with a grain of salt. I think next week – the Kansas City Wizards away, who are fresh off a decent win over DC United – will give a better measure of where the Rapids are these days.

That said, the prediction bug is going around like a benign flu in a box full of flu victims. For example, FC Rocky compiled a cool little project in which they invited Colorado Rapids bloggers (plus Brucio from Du Nord and Lionel Bienvenu) to post predictions on the 2008 season. The guys from Class VI, Black Panther, WeWantRapidsMan, and FC Rocky throw out some interesting stuff – including disproportionate and undue love for Red Bull New York. But turning to what all y’all (are you out there?) are here to read – e.g. stuff about the Rapids – the local consensus pegs Colorado at either second or third in the Western Conference. Not too shabby.

For what it’s worth, however, a collective poll I organize for Center Holds It has the Rapids tied for 9th/10th with the LA Galaxy. If this leaves you feeling depressed, think of it this way: Saturday’s game should be pretty good.

Well, that’s that. Tomorrow’s the opener. Injuries acknowledged, I like the Rapids chances – quite a bit, actually. LA’s defense – combining “green” players with slow, older ones – should give the Rapids offense a chance to work on their attacking chemistry. And fatigue should take care of LA’s star attackers, David Beckham due to Wednesday’s game against France and Landon Donovan after his heroic exertions against Poland.

Last but not least, it seems there’s a new Rapid in town: Kelly Gray joined up fairly recently. My advice on this one: don’t fall too hard for the “versatility trap.” Gray can play all over, but I’ve heard it said he’s better wide right. So, maybe cover/substitution for Terry Cooke, or a right-sided defender? Just a thought.

As for the weekend, I’ll post something after I watch the game…whenever that happens (hell of a weekend coming). So, look for that.

UPDATE: Some of you may not know this is part of a project I assigned myself back in January. If you care to follow that, I posted the final pre-season framing for the project over on Center Holds It.

Speaking of said opener, the article at the other end of the link above also reports that not too many tickets remain available. If you’re in the Denver area, have next Saturday free and a heavy coat (plus hat, gloves, and scarf) why not head out to The Dick to take in some soccer. David Beckham may or may not play…think about it. That’s all I, or any other fan of Major League Soccer, ask.

And, speaking of games, Bonji of From College to the Pros fame, posted a first-hand account of this year’s Burgundy and Blue game on Rapids Class VI. In there, you’ll find injury updates (hello, Dan Gargan!), thoughts on individual players’ performances (it seems they have a decent back-up at ‘keeper), and the latest on beer prices at The Dick ($7.25? Is it 24 oz. worth of Schlitz Blue Bull? Better be!).

All for now. The fun starts next weekend…and, to think, I get to watch this one on the TV! Yee-haw!

I have to confess to some guilt if the post below left any visiting Colorado Rapids fans feeling a little blue heading into the season – then again, I’m also confident experience has made expert at adjusting expectations. And even if I remain a little dubious about how the Rapids will fare in their second game – an away visit to the Kansas City Wizards (let’s just say, I’d advise against getting on the traveling bus if you’re the type who can’t live with losses) – I definitely like the Rapids’ chances in their opener, a home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

If you want to know why, read Steve Davis’ analysis of LA’s goalless draw on Saturday against FC Dallas in a charity match. The piece basically gets at what I expect LA will look like in 2008: a team that can win on any given Saturday, but one that, composed as it is, is unlikely to win on too many of them.

The thing is to see that you’re not that team, Colorado. I have no doubt you’re up to it.