Game Preview: New England Revolution vs. Colorado Rapids

The time has come for fans of the burgundy and blue! It’s time to don the favorite jersey, the lucky socks, or that scarf that could tell a story or two if it could talk. The regular season starts Saturday, March 10^th for the Colorado Rapids as they face off against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.

The Revs are an Eastern Conference team, which means that the Rapids will play them just once in 2018. Last year, the Rapids opened up the season by defeating the Revs at home, and this time the Burgundy Boys are heading to Foxborough. All-time the Rapids are 20-15-9 against the Revs, with a 6-11-5 record at Gillette Stadium.

New England is not off to a good start to their campaign, not only losing to the Philadelphia Union last week, but two of their starting centerbacks (Antonio Delamea and Claude Dielna) were shown reds. This leaves the Revs with a formidable hole in their defense.

As for the Rapids, the biggest news is that Kortne Ford has an MCL sprain that will sideline him for at least 8-10 weeks. Next man up would be Axel Sjoberg, but he suspended from a red card in the last game of last season, so that would leave Deklan Wynne, Eric Miller, or Jared Watts.

Shkelzen Gashi has had a calf concern all preseason—will we be fortunate enough to see the Albanian in the starting XI? Same question goes for Stefan Aigner. Although not attached to an injury rumor, Aigner has been out of country dealing with green card paperwork to become a citizen and didn’t play during the preseason.

Knowing that Head Coach Anthony Hudson has had an emphasis on New England and starting the season off prepared, one could assume the ideal starting XI would include both Gashi and Aigner. We’ve also got Nana Boateng, Jack Price, and Enzo Martinez, but I think one may have to take a seat.

All preseason there has been debate as to how this team will line up, or rather, who will line up to start the 2018 campaign? It’s time to find out, but with one major injury and a suspension we can already rule out that it won’t be the ideal lineup. That doesn’t mean there isn’t enough depth now to where the next man up can’t get the job done.

Predicted Starting XI: Howard; Miller, Wilson, Smith; Hairston, Price, Boateng, Castillo, Aigner; Badji, McBean

Injuries/Suspensions

Colorado

QUESTIONABLE: none

OUT: Kortne Ford (left MCL sprain), Axel Sjoberg (suspended)

New England

QUESTIONABLE: Zachary Herivaux (ankle)

OUT: Isaac Angking (illness), Antonio Delamea (suspended), Claude Dielna (suspended)

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Saturday, March 10 at 11:30 am MT

Venue: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA

TV Information: Altitude2

Radio: Altitude950

Live Stream: MLS Live (blackouts apply)

C38 Watch Party: The Celtic on Market, 1400 Market St, Denver, CO 80202 (there will be raffles and drink specials!)

Weather at Kickoff: 32 degrees and partly cloudy