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Time to dig deep as the Rapids face the Seattle Sounders
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One break the Rapids may get is that Freddie Ljungberg's
minutes may be limited. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
At 2:00 Mountain Time in Seattle the Rapids will step onto the pitch for the third time in eight days. The typical time between games for MLS teams is once a week. Three or four days rest is not enough.
Rapids fans had a chance to see the effects of a short interim last Wednesday night when the Rapids struggled to gain a tie against a team they should have beat. The Rapids controlled every aspect of that match, except the final numbers on the scoreboard.
Four teams were in action Wednesday night. While the Rapids were missing goals left and right the Red Bulls were going down to yet another defeat, this time to Toronto FC. Toronto F.C. and the Red Bulls played last night as well. Each were shut out. Maybe neither would have done better with a few extra days rest, but it could not have hurt.
The fatigue of playing several games and the travel will wear on the Rapids, but the biggest challenge will be the venue. The Rapids will play at Qwest Field, which is a fortress for the Seattle Sounders.
Qwest presents two huge obstacles to visiting teams. First, the crowd is huge and vocal. While most MLS teams struggle to get 12,000 fans the Seattle Sounders have been getting nearly 30,000. Thirty thousand fans all wearing green and urging the home side on.
The second challenge is the field turf. It may be the best field turf ever, but the facts are; the ball will bounce funny, the knees will take an extra pounding, the field will be hotter, and no one will want to slide tackle. For the game of soccer field turf is an abomination. For the home team it's a huge advantage, just as it is in Toronto and would be in New York if the Red Bulls were any good. The Rapids can practice on their turf practice field all they want, but no two turf fields seem to play the same.
The games, the travel, the fans, and the field would be enough by themselves, but Seattle's a good team under the best circumstances. The Seattle offense has been one oft the most effective in the league. Fredy Montero is a very good young talent who is among the league leaders with seven goals so far this year. The midfield and defense are solid as well, but the real key to Seattle is Kasey Keller.
Keller can and has won games for Seattle. Seattle has been impressive this year there is no doubt about it, but their defense is mix of inexperience and journeymen. The Seattle offense was expected to be solid. As it has been. The defense is the revelation and its success has everything to do with Keller calling the shots and cleaning up the messes.
Seattle is currently on track to be the second best expansion team in MLS history. The best was the Chicago Fire who won the MLS Cup in their inaugural year. That's impressive, but it's actually the 14 year old Colorado Rapids who are the surprising team. With Montero, Keller, and Freddie Ljungberg on the team Seattle's mix of great veterans and youth has had the intended results.
Colorado by contrast is still the same team that finished off the season last year just a few points short of a playoff spot. The team traded its "star" away and chose to go with youth. Nobody expected the Rapids approach to meet with success.
The Rapids have had plenty of success in spite of expectations. The Rapids have not lost since April. The Rapids are in fourth place, but with a couple of games in hand. The team is actually on pace for a second place finish. The Rapids offense is near the tops of the league with two forwards in the top 5 in goals scored. The only real knock on the Rapids this year has been the unfortunate break downs that characterize a middle of the pack defense.
That is the challenge of this game in Seattle. The Rapids offense may score, needs to score, but more important to the teams success the defense has to be solid. Any points gained in Seattle would be very good for the Rapids. With all the challenges the Rapids face, they'll have to dig down deep to find the reserves to return home with a point, or three.
Where to watch
Sunday will be a big day for soccer. The Rapids are in action and will slightly overlap the U.S. team who will be playing in the final of the Confederation's Cup. The U.S. teams match against Brazil will be historic no matter what the outcome. The Rapids game is just a part of a long season.
The Rapids game will be shown on NBCs Universal Sports. Universal Sports is one of the channels that has appeared as a result of the digital broadcast switch over. For those still confused on how to get it, why not join the crowd at a party? To catch both games fans have two local options;
G.B.'s Fish n' Chips - G.B.'s will once again be host to the Rapid official viewing party. With great food, cheap beer, and a bunch of fellow fans it will be a sure hit.
Where: 1311 South Broadway in Denver
The British Bulldog - As always the home to the supporters groups the Bulldog is a great place to catch the games. The fans are typically friendlier and more engaging than at any other venue. The Bulldog is a bar, and those with kids might wish to choose G.B.'s.
Where: 2052 Stout St., Downtown Denver
Around MLS
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- 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup schedule and roster
- 'The Price Is Right' for Sounders FC's Taylor Graham
- Another New York loss, Red Bulls and Sky Blue: Movers and shakers
