Prediction
Here is Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs prediction for the game on June 20: New England 2 Colorado 2
Preview
(all times ET) Wednesday, June 20 (10:00 p.m.) – Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution (FOX Rocky Mountain, FOX New England) Season series: New England leads 1-0 (New England leads 1-0 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: Colorado leads 8-5-0 (Colorado leads 22-15 in aggregate goals)
Leading scorers: Colorado: F John Spencer (7g, 5a, 19pts); New England: M CatT (4g, 1a = 9pts)
Did you know?: The Revolution lead MLS in penalty kick goals with five. New England has scored on a PK in two straight and in five of the last six matches.
Key players out: Rapids: M Wes Hart (Achilles Tear-L), D Robin Fraser (U.S. national team), D Chris Dawes (Jamaican national team); Revolution: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery -R), GK Juergen Sommer (Ruptured Achilles tendon -R), M Andy Williams (Jamaican national team), Wolde Harris (Jamaican national team), William Sunsing (Costa Rica national team).
Notes: The Rapids haven’t won a game since they beat Tampa Bay on May 12 … Colorado made several moves to address the team’s struggling offense last week, acquiring proven striker Raul Diaz Arce from D.C. United and promising attacker Chris Carrieri from San Jose … The rookie helped create one goal and Diaz Arce scored a pair but the Rapids fell 6-3 to Dallas last Saturday … Colorado’s defensive woes, which included two own goals, stemmed from the absences of international defenders Robin Fraser and Chris Dawes who both remain away from Colorado … New England is coming off an idle week, which saw several players compete in World Cup Qualifiers … One of those players, striker Wolde Harris, scored two goals in New England’s 3-0 victory over Tampa Bay on June 9 … Without the offensive trio (Harris, Andy Williams and William Sunsing), the Revs will rely on former Rapid Matt Okoh and Brazilian Cate’ for scoring.
KEY MATCHUP: Rapids F Raul Diaz Arce vs. Revolution D Andy Woods: While top marker Rusty Pierce deals with Colorado’s leading scorer John Spencer, Woods will likely be asked to mark the veteran Diaz Arce. Both players will be going against a former club, with Diaz Arce still holding the single-season record for goals in New England.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Reggie Rutty; Assistant Referees: Robert Fereday (SAR), Thomas Supple (JAR)
