Jul 25, 2014; Commerce City, CO, USA; Chivas USA midfielder Marky Delgado (12) brings the ball down the field during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick
Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA must be feeling pretty good after their superb 1-0 victory over playoff hunter Real Salt Lake at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on Sunday. So, what will they do for an encore as they sink into the abyss of history? Why, host on Oct. 11 Pablo Mastroeni’s playoff-zoned Colorado Rapids, a club that, unlike Chivas, will still be around next season.
Kickoff for this glorified pillow fight in the MLS Western Conference is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. MT/10:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for Saturday’s match between Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids.
1. At least 45 fouls, under five cards
This will be a fast and fluid match between one group of players fighting for their careers and another group of players fighting to remain on the books for their club. Thus, the MLS Multiplex boldly predicts for at least 45 fouls whistled and under five cards issued.
2. Felix Borja will score
Chivas USA forward Felix Borja opened up his scoring account last weekend against Real Salt Lake and he will build on his performance with another strong showing. Borja will be on the score sheet in the first half against Colorado.
3. Deshorn Brown with a brace
This season, Deshorn Brown has 10 goals and will be needed to give Colorado some momentum heading into next season. Brown will get on the scoresheet with a brace.
4. Clint Irwin with at least five saves
Last weekend, Clint Irwin was hung out to dry against the Seattle Sounders at home. This week, on the road at StubHub, Irwin will come up huge and will make at least five saves.
5. Under five saves for Dan Kennedy
This has been a tough year for Dan Kennedy. And while the Chivas USA goalkeeper secured a rare shutout last weekend, it will be the same old insipidness from the Goats backline that becomes Kennedy’s undoing. The MLS Multiplex will call for under five saves from Kennedy.
6. Jose Mari will score
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The last time the Rapids were at StubHub Center, their performance was sent to the gallows by the hooded hangmen of the Los Angeles Galaxy. But this is Chivas USA they’re facing, and the Rapids have a great opportunity to rectify things. Jose Mari is one of those players that can provide a spark, and he will score in the first half.
7. A goal and an assist for Dillon Powers
Dillon Powers had a quiet afternoon at CenturyLink Field, but Colorado’s top provider will thrive against Chivas. Powers will record a goal and an assist to lead the Rapids.
8. Nick LaBrocca with an assist
One player that will deliver for Colorado is Nick LaBrocca, who is on a yellow card warning. He won’t get cautioned this match, but he will get an assist in what will be a conventional one-sided display.
9. No goals for Dillon Serna
Dillon Serna came off the bench in Colorado’s 4-1 defeat to the Sounders over the weekend. Serna has three goals and four assists, but he will not get on the scoresheet for the Rapids this weekend.
10. Colorado gets right against Chivas USA
Oh, at long last. It might as well taste like freshly-squeezed nectar from the football gods right about now. The Colorado Rapids get their act together and win, and they will do it convincingly against Chivas USA, rendering their act of kindness towards the Los Angeles Galaxy’s CONCACAF Champions League ambitions as smoke and mirrors.
Colorado Rapids 4, Chivas USA 1