Rapids Face NY Without Casey

The picture has nothing to do with our opponent, but I found it funny. Its from an article about Wynne and Earls going to the Cat Care Society to help them celebrate their 30th anniversary. Cat Care is also where we adopted our cat from.

As reported earlier today, Conor Casey's season is over. Tomorrow the Rapids have to figure out how to handle the remaining 13 games plus the 6 Champions League games without him. The first challenge, Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls. A (thankfully) rare weekday home game at the Dick, which means a 7:30 start. Tailgate starts at 5 and for those people unable to make it tot he game it will be on Altitude.

Injury Report:

OUT: FW Conor Casey (L Achilles tear)

QUESTIONABLE: FW Macoumba Kandji (L knee ACL tear)

PROBABLE: FW Omar Cummings (R ankle sprain); DF Danny Earls (L quadriceps contusion); MF Brian Mullan (lower back spasms); GK Matt Pickens (R groin strain); DF Anthony Wallace (R quad strain)

Disciplinary Report:

SUSPENDED AFTER 1 MORE CAUTION: MF Pablo Mastroeni (3 games good behavior)

SUSPENDED AFTER 2 MORE CAUTIONS: MF Ross LaBauex; MF Jeff Larentowicz; DF Tyrone Marshall; DF Drew Moor; MF Wells Thompson; DF Anthony Wallace

The injury report was getting better, until the news on Casey today. NY is missing 3 players, including one of their DP's, Rafa Marquez. My guess at the new post-Casey starting XI:

Pickens

Kimura - Wynne - Marshall - Moor

Mullan - Pablo- Larentowicz - Smith

Folan - Cummings

There are no great options to replace Casey, but Folan seems to be the logical choice. The rest of the starting XI is set at this point, assuming everyone is healthy.

Key To Look For: How well Cummings pairs with whomever is next to him. Omar is now the key to the offense and he needs to get it figured out quickly.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Cummings. NY is a good team and the Rapids look like a bit of a mess at the moment. I have no faith in the defense shutting down Henry and Co., but I think you'll see a significant improvement from our performance in Seattle. Playing at home the Rapids will find a way to get a goal, but without Casey I don't see them scoring more than one.