As I write this, a slew of Claret and Cobalt is arriving in Denver, by means of buses, planes, and automobiles,* ready to watch our beloved club smash our Rocky Mountain foes. As the match is being aired on ESPN2, we should either see or hear a number of them — because we’re loud and proud to be fans of the greatest club in Major League Soccer.
Right, so let’s get on with the match preview, on with the day, and on to the match! At the back, we should have Nick Rimando without any trouble. Any chance he injured himself sitting on the bench for the U.S.? Though I suppose he could have in training, I don’t believe he did, and hopefully he’s feeling quite well after his shoulder knock last month. An organizing, revitalized Rimando will be essential to our chances.
In front of Nick, we should see The Great Borlave, and I’m not too worried there. I know we’ve conceded quite a few goals in recent times, but I don’t think that was necessarily the sole fault of the defense — especially as defending, we know, starts at the front and ends at the very back. On either side, we will hopefully see Robbie Russell and Chris Wingert, though any question marks over Russell’s fitness may play into a different decision — perhaps Schuler on the left, which certainly wouldn’t be the end of the world.
In the Beckerman spot, expect to see the non-dreadlocked Yordany Alvarez (he should grow dreadlocks and stay with us! He could be Kyle 2.0!), who should be nice and rested after missing the last match with visa issues. Around him, we should see Andy Williams and Luis Gil, as Will Johnson’s out, and it seems that Ned Grabavoy might well be out as well. We’ll see on that one once the MLS pushes their injury report for the day. In the attacking playmaker spot, expect Javier Morales to get another start, and that should be a nice boost. I do worry a bit with three ostensibly attacking midfielders on the pitch, but I think Andy Williams and Luis Gil, at least in recent months, have been disciplined enough that any worries should be abated.
Up front, I’d expect to see Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola, who should be well-benefited by having Javier back at the helm of this rocking ship. Can you imagine having both of those two with a fully fit Javi? We’ll be unstoppable.
So, in short form:
Rimando
Russell - BORLAVE - Wingert
Williams - YAlvarez - Gil
Morales
Saborio - Espindola
Right, a short one today, but let’s go win this thing. COME ON YOU CLARET AND COBALT!
*Do we have anyone who went by train? Please tell me so I can make that sound less... weird.
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