Rapids Try To Swamp The Crew

Colorado stays back East this week with a game against the Eastern Conference leading Crew. The Rapids have won once in the last 9 games and could really use some points on the road in this one. Columbus had a midweek game in the CONCACAF Champion's League and has another one in the middle of next week. The game is at 5:30pm and will be televised on KWGN.

Injury Report:

OUT: MF Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain); MF Colin Clark (L ACL tear); FW Ross Schunk (R ACL tear)

Discipline Report:

ONE CAUTION FROM SUSPENSION: Omar Cummings

TWO CAUTIONS FROM SUSPENSION: Conor Casey, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni

This is the best injury report we've had for a while. Clark's injury is a problem, but otherwise everyone who would actually be likely to play is healthy. The Crew also has 3 players unlikely to play due to injury. My guess on the lineup:

Pickens

Kimura - Wynne - Baudet - Moor

Larentowicz - Pablo

Cummings - Ballouchy - Smith

Casey

Maybe Earls plays instead off Kimura but other than the only other possible change I could see would be Thompson, But the way the team played in the first half next week I expect to see Ballouchy back in the XI while Thompson goes tot he bench.

Key To Look For: Offense. Can we create and finish more than the random chance a game?

Prediction: 2-0 loss. I hate to say it, but the Crew are really good and right now the Rapids aren't. On the road there's a good chance the Crew score first and the team just folds.