April 17, 2010 MLS--preview Colorado Rapids vs Toronto FC (from MLSsoccer.com)
TFC aim to take midweek momentum into Colorado
Keys to the Game Colorado - Use the league's best strike tandem to exploit Toronto's unsettled backline - Don't let the visitors manhandle their way into the game ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toronto FC - Toronto holds a 4-2-0 advantage over Colorado - Work on containing Colorado's talented wingers and tricky forwards Injuries Colorado OUT: MF Ciaran O'Brien (L hip sprain); FW Ross Schunk (R ACL tear) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toronto FC OUT: DF Emmanuel Gomez (R knee osteochondral injury); MF Amadou Sanyang (facial laceration) What's at stake?
Colorado will be looking to bounce back at home after a frustrating league loss to Kansas City last weekend, though the team will be buoyed by the midweek victory over the Wizards in the U.S. Open Cup a few days later. Toronto is in better shape after Thursday's home opener victory over Philadelphia followed two disappointing road losses to start the season.
Last meeting
The Rapids suffered a 3-2 defeat to Toronto on Sept. 12, 2009-just a week after Colorado had exacted a 1-0 defeat on Toronto at DSG Park with a goal from Conor Casey.
Heroes & Villains
TFC's Dwayne De Rosario vs. the Rapids' midfield: Jeff Larentowicz and Pablo Mastroeni will have their work cut out taming De Rosario, who scored both goals for Toronto in their home opener on Thursday.
TFC alums vs. Colorado Rapids alums: The Toronto line-up looks like a former Rapids XI. No fewer than five Toronto squad members are former Rapids players. Nick LaBrocca, who helped anchor the Rapids midfield so well last season, looks the only one of those five certain to start. His battle with Larentowicz, who has essentially replaced him in central midfield for Colorado, looks intriguing. There may be some tough tackles going on between those two.
Rapids defender Marvell Wynne will also have something to prove to Toronto, which surprisingly traded him for LaBrocca just a few weeks ago. Wing play should also be interesting with Toronto's Jacob Peterson eager to make a point after Colorado deemed him surplus to requirements and traded him to Toronto in the offseason.
Stat that makes you go "Hmm..."
The Rapids have not lost a home game at DSG Park since Aug. 1, 2009
He said it
"This group will hopefully be at full strength. Our aim is to be aggressive, to be positive and to play with pace and purpose in our game. After a Thursday game, I would expect there will be some concerns for them both mentally and physically coming in at altitude. It's a moment we have to grasp. These moments can be instrumental in seasons - to get your first win at home and, more importantly, to get three points on the board. We need to be sure we grab it with both hands."-Gary Smith, Colorado Rapids head coach
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