Rapids hold playoff hopes in own hands
Colorado has many similarities with visiting New England squad
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Both squads enter the match with near-identical records -- Colorado is 10-8-9 and the Revolution is 10-9-7 -- and are situated similarly in the playoff race. Both clubs have either just completed, or are just about to complete, rugged stretches of their respective schedules. And both teams also are dealing with injury issues that could derail their postseason aspirations, all of which makes the available points in Saturday's match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park crucial for both sides.
"I would have bitten someone's arm off to be in this position with three games to go," said Rapids coach Gary Smith, whose club completes the regular season with road matches at FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. "We still have a lot of work to do, along with plenty of other teams. The nice thing is it's in our hands. We've got New England coming in, who are a good side."
The Rapids have suffered just one loss in the past six games, going 2-1-3 during that stretch, but have settled for draws in their past three matches. The Rapids scored only two goals during those three ties, recording both on penalty kicks, and are still trying to recapture their momentum on offense after the recent injury losses of midfielders Colin Clark, Jamie Smith and Jacob Peterson.
Colorado completed a stretch of three games in nine days with a scoreless draw at Kansas City on Sunday. This will be the second game in four days for the Revolution, which suffered a 1-0 loss at FC Dallas on Wednesday.
"The light is at the end of the tunnel as far as the playoffs go," Rapids goalkeeper Preston Burpo said. "You like to hope that we can get some extra points sooner than later. It will be a good game. New England is piecing things together. They had a slow beginning, but the last month or so they have been crawling up. With all the injuries aside, both teams will be pushing for a goal to get the three points. They need it because they are on the road and we need it because we think if we can get a few more points, that should push us into the playoffs."
While Colorado continues to adjust to its injury situation in the midfield, the Revolution will be playing their second match without veteran forward Steve Ralston, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
"Sadly they have lost Ralston to a bad injury," Smith said. "I feel extremely bad for the lad, because he broke his leg last year at about the same time. He's a wonderful player. They probably are going to be stretching the boundaries and stretching their squad as well. We have a great opportunity to maybe capitalize on the three draws."
The loss of Ralston will not help New England turn around its recent fortunes on the road or at Colorado. The Revolution are winless in their past seven trips to the Mile High City (0-5-2) and have scored just one goal while going 0-2-1 in their past three road matches.
"Looking at our record against New England at home the past couple years, it has been pretty decent," Rapids forward Omar Cummings said. "Hopefully this weekend we'll make that beneficial for us."
Pat Rooney is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
