A red hot Philadelphia Union roll into Colorado and look to keep their playoff hopes alive versus another red hot team, the Colorado Rapids. The Union are 3-1-1 since losing to DC United a month ago, but will need a miracle to make it to the playoffs. As the playoff standings currently stand, it appears that the Union will need to win their remaining games to have any chance of reaching the playoffs.
Colorado has outscored its opponents 10-0 over its last 4 home games, gaining 12 points by completing 4 clean sheets over its opponents. But the Rapids are somewhat weak up front for tonight's game, as Omar Cummings is returning, but is doing so from injury. Another problem for the Rapid's strike force is that Conor Casey is suspended for tonight's game because he picked up another yellow card in the Rapid's last match.
For SBN team blog previews, please go here for Part 1 at Burgundy Wave (Colorado Rapids) and Part 2 at The Brotherly Game (Philadelphia Union).
Philadelphia (4-4-2): Knighton; Williams, Califf, Orozco Fiscal, Harvey; Mapp, Fred, Okugo, Miglioranzi; Le Toux, Moreno
Colorado (4-4-2): Pickens; Kimura, Moor, Wynne, Wallace; Mastroeni, Larentowicz, Smith, Thompson; Kandji, Cummings
Prediction:
1-1 Union. Sebastian Le Toux will get his 13th goal of the season and, unfortunately, Danny Califf will revert back to his earlier season form. The Union will give up a weak goal in their last 18 as Cummings returns to action for the Rapids.
Notes:
*Danny Mwanga did not travel with the team, most likely due to the shoulder injury he suffered two games ago.
*Eduardo Coudet also did not travel with the team, meaning that his calf strain is still heavily bothering him.