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Colorado Rapids take on F.C. Dallas: The battle for the boot
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Jeff Cunningham finds a team that loves
him in Dallas.(AP Photo/Tony Guttierez)
The Rapids have enjoyed much needed break since their last game on October 3rd against the New England Revolution.
The two weeks rest has been very important for Gary Smith's boys who staggered into the bye week with a long list of injured players. The two weeks have given Coach Smith some time to work on filling the gaps.
The rest has also given a few Rapids players time to get healthy and back into the mix. Both Matt Pickens and Cory Gibbs are back to health. That is particularly significant when it come to Gibbs as the team will be without Julien Baudet who was shown a red card in the Rapids last match.
Picken's health gives Smith a dilemma. Preston Burpo has played well in goal and has been sharp. Matt Pickens is the clear number one choice goalie who has just returned to health. At any previous point in the season there would be no question, Smith would choose Pickens.
This match is not just any other match. Dallas is one of five teams that are a threat to the Rapids playoff hopes. They are also the only team that threat the Rapids have any control over. Elsewhere on Saturday, Toronto and Real Salt Lake will be trying to eliminate each other while trying to avoid the tragedy of a tie that would do them both in. New England will be trying to save their season by beating the Chicago Fire. And, D.C. United will be trying to save theirs by beating the league leading Columbus Crew. The Rapids cannot stop any of them, but they can stop Dallas. Choosing the right goal keeper will be key to achieving that goal.
Stopping Dallas is the big trick. For the last month Dallas has been the hottest team in MLS losing only once in their last six games. Dallas' has outscored their competition by 9 goals in those matches. The majority of those goals have been scored by the leagues hottest player, Jeff Cunningham.
The Battle for the Golden Boot
For most of the season the Rapid's Conor Casey has lead the league in goal scoring. For the last several weeks his goal scoring dominance has been under attack by Dallas player, and former Rapids, Jeff Cunningham.
Cunningham was not slated to be the leader of the Dallas offense this season. That role was to go to Kenny Cooper, but Cooper never produced seemingly more interested in getting out of MLS. When Cooper got his wish many thought that it was the end of Dallas' already struggling season. Jeff Cunningham had other ideas stepping forward to lead his team in goals and assists. As Dallas coach Hyndman noted,
"When he was given the opportunity to be the so called 'man,' of the team, the difference maker, he really stepped up."
Conor Casey the Rapids own, "man" is now one goal behind Cunningham in the chase for the Golden Boot, awarded to the leagues leading scorer. Getting a few goals against Dallas would be a nice way of leading the Rapids to the playoffs. Earning the golden boot in the process would be a nice reward.
