The Rapids will open the gates of Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday for their first home game of the 2009 season.
Gary Smith and company are looking to prove that the Rapids that took the game to Chivas in the first half of last week's loss is the true personality of the team, and not the Rapids of the second half that gave away the lead.
The Jekyll and Hyde performance of last Saturday provided every critic evidence to support whatever preconceived notions of the Rapids squad they brought to the new season. The optimists point out that the Rapids pushed, played with pace, and kept Chivas on the defense. The doubters respond that the Rapids didn't finish their chances, gave up easy goals, and lost focus. Both views have some justification.
Are they the same old Rapids? With very few exceptions, the faces are the same. Gary Smith opted for stability rather than wholesale changes in the off season. The team would like fans to believe that this years Rapids has a discipline and spirit that previous teams lacked and that this will make all the difference.
Kansas City comes to town looking to answer their own critics who rank them in the middle of the MLS pack. The Wizards sport a strong defense and veteran midfield. They have good forwards, but they're all injury prone and streaky scorers.
The Wizards made few changes in the off-season opting, like the Rapids, for stability. One exception is the addition of Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig to the Wizard's roster.
Hirsig saw his first action in Wizards opener earning positive reviews for his steady play and creativity. Hirsig was awarded an assist in the opening game, but it was an impressive midfield blast from Davy Arnaud that was the real trick.
Arnaud's two goals in the opening game should give the Rapids pause. Both of Arnaud's blasts were more impressive than the two Nagumura put past the Rapids last Saturday. Worryingly, they were also both from the space that the Rapids defense seemed content to leave open for Nagamura to exploit.
The Rapids will have had time to study the mistakes that gave Nagamura the space to shoot, and make adjustments to prevent more Arnaud bombs, but the task is complicated by the absence of Pablo Mastroeni.
Pablo is on duty with the US National Team who will be playing a World Cup qualifying match against El Salvador while the Rapids play Kansas City. Rapids fans are proud to see Pablo receive the honor of the call up, but won't be blamed if they feel cheated should he fails to make it off the bench against the Cuscatlecos. A win by the home side will surely avoid any hard feelings.
In place of Pablo the Rapids will rely on Nick LaBrocca's tenacity to frustrate Arnaud's efforts this week. Replacing Nick at right wing will be Jacob Peterson. The rest of the lineup will be the same group that started so brightly against Chivas.
The young team will have to turn to Conor Casey for leadership, and Cory Gibbs to discipline the back line. With hope, the weeks review and preparation, as well as a home field crowd will bring out the good Dr. Jekyll personality, and keep the Mr. Hyde personality at bay.
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