COLORADO RAPIDS VS. TORONTO FCDick's Sporting Goods Park - Saturday 10PM EST
TV - Rogers Sportsnet -- Radio: The Fan 590
It's one of those glorious little quirks of Major League Soccer that helps hold it back in the eyes of Eurosnobs and naysayers here and abroad. A back-to-back fixture against the same club. Nowhere else in the world of football does this occur in regular season. An absurdity that has to be fixed. Also needing a fix - Colorado Rapids. Is there a more tepid, poorly managed team (off the field) in MLS as the Maroons? While it's true they have rarely been world-beaters on the pitch, their image, as controlled by owner Stan Kroenke and his staff is poor. Soccer-mom baiting madness rules in Colorado with thundersticks, "Bring your dog to the match" type promotions and other useless corporate mush straight out of "The Big Book of American Soccer Leagues".
It was thought that building a truly beautiful stadium would change things but The Dick has the same atmosphere as Stan Kroenke's other club - Arsenal. Like a mini-Emirates Stadium, The Dick, on most match days, shares Arsenal's atmosphere that rates slightly higher than a library that is about to close. In a league where many original clubs have taken the baby steps towards acting like world football teams and not roller hockey franchises, Rapids have given no favours to real football supporters in the Denver area and their attendance and atmosphere are the proof. At least this week, TFC supporters can concentrate on the play on the pitch and not about a pissing match about who has the best fans.
COLORADO RAPIDS - 9-6-7 - 33pts 4th in WEST (6th OVERALL)
Rapids have been hovering around mid-table for most of the season and have been quite an enigma lately. Recently they suffered a humiliating 3-2 loss at Chicago after holding a 2-0 lead for much of the match. However, in their next match they answered the previous form with a solid 1-0 win over title favourites Houston Dynamo. Injuries and absences will make this match a challenge for Rapids with leading scorer, and brief Red, Conor Casey on national team duty while midfield talisman Pablo Mastroeni is out on suspension. Playmaking duties will fall to talented Moroccan Mhedi "Don't Call Me John" Ballouchy who will try to aim his pinpoint crosses at Jamaican forward Omar Cummings. Hopefully no Golden Retrievers will get involved in the play.
TORONTO FC - 8-7-8 - 31pts 5th in EAST (11th OVERALL)
The story continues for "The Road Worriers" and their western travels. Failing to get a result against an undermanned Rapids will be a huge blow to the club. With the large amount of clubs within 3 points of TFC in the standings, any combination of Toronto losses and close rival wins can severely damage the playoff hopes. The worry is once again up front where scoring has been a rumour for TFC. Which combo Chris Cummins will go with is anyone's guess these days although if Chad Barrett gets another start after last week at Seattle, many will be scratching their heads. To The Chad's defence though, Gerba, Vitti, Dichio (remember him?) and whoever else is added to the mixture up front has been equally useless or used incorrectly. The one plus out of the Seattle match was the ability shown by rookie Gambian midfielder Amadou Sanyang. Sanyang and his countryman Emmanuel Gomez have shown a great deal of composure and poise despite their age and sudden arrival from Africa. With an ankle injury to Carl Robinson and Amado Guevara away on international duty, Sanyang may very well get the call. Does The Gambia happen to have any strikers waiting around?
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Casey did not join the National Team due to having a wisdom tooth extracted and will be available for the Rapids tonight.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jason, great blog of your own. That's bad news for TFC if Casey does suit up. As an obvious Rapid's supporter, can we ask if the image of your club being badly promoted is true or is it misinformed by other MLS supporters? From the outside it seems as if they pander to the "soccer mom" crowd rather than devoted football fans. How does it play out in your beautiful state?
ReplyDeleteNo, you've pretty much nailed it. There's been a greater effort made by some in the Front Office to reach out to the Centennial Firm and Class VI supporters groups this year, but that seems to be more of an individual choice by a few people in the Front Office and not a change in overall strategy coming from KSE.
ReplyDeleteWell, baby steps I guess. With a few real supporters like yourself maybe change can come one day. Too bad about the Arsenal connection though, would rather be connected to an incurable disease. Enjoy watching our ten men tonight, oh, and Chad Barrett too.
ReplyDeleteI would guess FC Dallas is quite similar in terms of tepid, poor management.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the local culture and pace of life in the midwestern locales do not result in the urban angst that fills the stadiums of the large cities. I certainly feel less angry on a daily basis after escaping Philly for Denver.
If Silent Stan would fervently proclaim that he desires a library-like atmosphere, I could accept that, since it's his place. But that will never happen...
Hey I'm a Blackburn fan. I couldn't care less about the Arsenal connection. ;)
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