Rapids Try To Get Back On Track In Chicago

The Zephyr ran from Denver to Chicago starting in 1936

A quick turnaround for Colorado as they're out in Chicago to start the post-Pablo era.  The Rapids may have wanted to use a train to get there as multiple cancellations and a tornado touching down at DIA delayed their flight out today.  They also left without Atiba Harris (red card), Hendry Thomas (suspended today by the Disciplinary Committee), and head coach Oscar Pareja (standard one game suspension for leaving the technical area).  Needless to say the team will be a bit shorthanded tomorrow night as Dave Dir takes Pareja's place.  Game time tomorrow is 6:30pm and the game is on Altitude.

Injury Report:

OUT:  DF Diego Calderon (R knee Surgery), DF Brenton Griffiths (R shoulder dislocation); GK Matt Pickens (L arm fracture)
QUESTIONABLE: MF Jaime Smith (R groin strain)

Disciplinary Report:
SUSPENDED: FW Atiba Harris; MF Hendry Thomas
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOWS: MF Dillon Powers

Ineligible:

FW Charles Eloundou - Still waiting on International Transfer Certificate
DF Shane O'Neill; MF Dillon Serna - U.S. U-20 callup

Chicago has two players out due to injury but everyone else is available including former Rapids Quincy Amarikwa, Jeff Larentowicz, and Wells Thompson.  Picking a starting XI is going to be difficult this week but here's my guess:

We could see Mullan move up to the midfield with Mera being added to the back line.  We could also see Harbottle take Harris' place.  I think we'll see what Powers and Rivero can do together though.

Key To Look For: Refocusing after a bad effort on Saturday.  The loss to SJ was a setback but Chicago is a good team to try to right the ship against.  We just need to keep playing the game that put us on that good run.

Prediction: 1-1 draw, goal by Powers.  With the number of suspensions I think the Rapids drop two points in Chicago as they try to work a new lineup into play.  Powers has been close recently so I think he puts one in but the defense gets peeled apart again for a level score.