Rapids in Town for Two

Tomorrow the Wizards go back into MLS play as they will take on the Colorado Rapids out at Community America Ballpark. Colorado comes into the game undefeated in their first two games in league play, defeating Chivas USA 1-0 on the road on the opening weekend and drawing with Chicago in their home opener last week. Colorado is led offensively by Conor Casey and Omar Cummings, one of the most dangerous forward teams in the league. Behind them there's a strong central midfield of Pablo Mastroeni and Jeff Larentowicz, who are going to be a strong team there throughout the season and be a good matchup for the Wizards central midfield. There is also going to be a familiar face on Colorado, although he's more likely to appear on Tuesday, is Claudio Lopez, who now has his P-1 Visa.

KC has had some minor injuries after the first week of the season, and four players didn't even travel to St. Louis last weekend. The injured included Davy Arnaud, Stephane Auvray, Jack Jewsbury, Ryan Smith, and many others. According to the Star, though, those players were all practicing on Thursday, with only Zoltan Hercegfalvi and Santiago Hirsig not practicing on Thursday. With the team's 4-0 win over DC being as strong as it was, it's hard to believe that Peter Vermes will change anything up if everyone is healthy and ready to play. I have a feeling that barring any 11th hour stuff, that we're likely to see the same lineup.

Smith - Wolff - Kamara
Arnaud - Auvray - Jewsbury
Espinoza - Conrad - Besler - Harrington
Nielsen

Key Match Up - Ryan Smith vs Kosuke Kimura or Marvell Wynne - Smith was a man among boys for much of the DC game until he got hurt. He'll play a big part tomorrow if the Wizards are to win. The Wizards have to favor that match up if it's against Kimura, who is a decent player, but I think he'll have trouble with Smith's speed. Wynne will be a more interesting challenge if he's on the right wing. Wynne can stay with Smith speed wise, but the question of some of Wynne's defensive skills could come into play.

PREDICTION - This match up will be much more difficult for the Wizards than the DC was, Colorado is a strong team up from and are a solid team through the middle. Still at home, I think that KC can be the better team, I would take KC's offense over Colorado's offense on KC's smaller field. And while both team's have momentum, I think KC is going to come out ready for this game.

KC - 2 (Smith, Kamara)
CO - 1 (Cummings)