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The Major League Soccer schedule makers have a good sense of humor when the make the schedule. On one hand they have zero clue how to make a schedule that keeps teams playing the same number of games two months in, but on the other hand the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas get get reacquainted two weeks after they last played. I will not go back through that match but the Rapids will be hoping for a similar result.
The Goal Today for our Burgundy Boys: Get Three Points at home for the first time since July 2014.
What To Watch For:
1) Finishing Chances: I know it is a broken record, but the Rapids are mostly cold this year when it comes to finishing chances. Yes, they did score four goals against FCD two weeks ago, but for the better part of the year, the team has struggled in front of goal.
2) The Defense Had a Rough Day: Against Seattle Sounders, the Rapids defense looked quite pedestrian. I get the sense that Seattle will do that to many people this year, but it worrying if you couple that with the poor offensive record so far. Right now, the Rapids need to be able to play perfect defense for as long as the Rapids struggle in front of goal.
3) Win The Games You Can: No secret that the Rapids are struggling at home and for the club to make a realistic playoff push, they need to win the games they can. This one, this is a winnable game.
Officiating Crew:
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Paul Scott, George Gansner
Fourth Official: Tyler Ploeger
Injuries/Suspensions
Injuries: Colorado: OUT--Marc Burch, Sam Cronin. LISTED ON REPORT-- Dominique Badji. Dallas: OUT--Coy Craft, Steven Keel. LISTED ON REPORT--Dan Kennedy
Suspensions: Colorado: Marcelo Sarvas.
How To Watch:
Match Date/Time: Friday, April 24 at 8:00 PM MDT
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park--Commerce City, Colorado
Television: Univision Deportes
Tickets: www.coloradorapids.com
OnLine: MLS Live
Predicted Starting XI:
Always a bit of a crap shoot with the Rapids, but based on some injury concerns, international call-ups, and suspensions, I am going to go with this lineup:
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This will serve as your official Burgundy Wave game thread for this Western Conference match.