It’s another week on the road for the Rave Green as the team prepares to head to Colorado. Both teams are looking for a win, as the Sounders are eager to bounce back from last weekend’s loss at LA, while the Rapids are looking to earn another three points after snapping an 18-game winless streak that dated back to last summer.
To preview this week’s match, SoundersFC.com chatted with Marcelo Balboa, current Rapids broadcast analyst. Balboa is a former U.S. Men’s National Team defender who also served as a stalwart on Colorado’s backline in the late 1990s.
Dangerman
I don’t think the Rapids have any one dangerman. They finally scored four goals the other day and those goals were distributed well between the midfielders and the forwards [Dominique Badji, Dillon Powers, Gabriel Torres and Dillon Serna]. You’ve got dangerous guys playing in all of those positions; they really don’t have just one key player.
We don’t have a [Clint] Dempsey, we don’t have a [Obafemi] Martins. We have solid players that can score goals.
Best Offseason Pickup
I think there is more than one. I say that because of what happened last year. The team struggled and there was no depth. There are a lot of new guys in their starting lineup. Marcelo Sarvas was a huge offseason pickup. He fits in that role very well for this team. Michael Harrington was a good pickup for the Rapids because he gives them depth. Dominique Badji is good too if he continues doing well.
They also brought in another goalkeeper this offseason, which puts more pressure on Irwin to play well each week. We already knew Michael Harrington’s quality because he’s been around the league and the team had seen him play before.
Bobby Burling is a big, strong centerback that gives that team so much more depth. After moving in so many players this offseason, it’s hard to isolate just one player.
Favorite Stat
You always like to have a clean-sheet and that’s important. It’s not just about the four guys on the backline though. It’s 11 guys getting behind the ball and 11 guys dedicated to running back and chasing [the ball] and believing that they all have to defend. It makes it easier for the centerbacks, it makes it easier for the goalkeeper to win the ball back and to create pressure in the match.
I think the clean-sheets are a huge thing for them but again, it’s early in the season. I think this is a different group than it was in 2014 and I think they’re ready for it.
Who wants it more?
After watching Seattle’s result in LA, I know they’re frustrated. They had plenty of good chances and Seattle could have easily won that game. It’s a perfect storm: one team who is motivated because they probably should have won that game and they’re coming in ready to go and another that just had a big result. Colorado got its first win – a good win at that – and those two teams are going to come in and play some good, offensive soccer.
Three thoughts on #COLvSEA
1.) It comes down to how you start the game and the mentality you start the game with. Colorado showed that last week.
2.) Controlling the middle of the field is key and I think that’s for both teams. The altitude is also a factor here and can really affect some guys.
3.) Colorado has three guys they have to watch – Dempsey, Martins and [Marco] Pappa. When you also factor in [Lamar] Neagle – he’s quick, he’s fast, he’s strong – there are four big offensive players and it’s important for Colorado to be on their toes and be ready this week.
