A Positive Altitude:
Playing at altitude can produce a Rocky Mountain low for players who overexert themselves and then hit a virtual brick wall in the second half. Pacing is important, especially for a team playing its third road game in an eight-day span. But the Quakes are riding another kind of air, a confident air, after encouraging results against Real Salt Lake, a 1-1 draw, and the Houston Dynamo, a 1-0 win. The Quakes expect success, regardless of the conditions or the opponent. Plus, the club has handled the elements just fine, historically, and is riding a six-game road unbeaten streak against Colorado. Moreover, Coach Dominic Kinnear has plenty of options on his bench if he needs fresh legs. If central midfielder Fatai Alashe can’t go on Friday, then JJ Koval or Palo Renato are among the viable options.
The Return of Marvell:
Marvell Wynne is a likeable guy. He’s a team player, a hard-nosed defender and competes at the highest level through 90 minutes. Quakes fans have welcomed him with open arms during the first few months with the club, a similiar feeling shared by Rapids fans who enjoyed Wynne’s services for the past five years. Marvell made 136 appearances in his five years with the Rapids, helping them win the 2011 MLS Cup as a catalyst in the backline. While in Colorado, Marvell was versatile for the Rapids, sliding back and forth from outside back to center back during his stint with the club. Rapids fans will be hard pressed to forget the impact Wynne had on the club during his time in Colorado, which will certainty warrant a warm welcome for the speedy defender tonight at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Point Taken:
The Quakes and Rapids played to three ties last season, but the Quakes are 5-0-5 against the Rapids since Colorado won the first meeting in 2011. The teams were scoreless twice at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in 2014 and drew 1-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium. In the 1-1 tie, Matias Perez Garcia had a trademark clever assist in the 94th minute. The Rapids have a thing for recording a point in matches with other teams as well. Colorado has earned a point in six of the club’s first nine games of the season, with the last three ending in a draw. This looks like a winnable roadie for the Quakes, who would probably dance, not fly, back to the Bay Area if they could cap this grinding stretch with a 2-0-1 mark. Lots of work left to be done, though.
