Rapids desperately need win in 'game two' vs. Quakes

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Sep 23, 2009

[MLS PREDICTION] After splitting back-to-back games with Toronto FC earlier this month, Colorado hosts San Jose five days after the teams played a 1-1 tie in Northern California. This is the penultimate home game of the 2009 season for the Rapids; the finale is against New England, so they need this one in the worst way.

WEDNESDAY
COLORADO (10-8-7) vs. SAN JOSE (5-12-6), 9:30 p.m. ET (Direct Kick)
Midfielder Pablo Mastroeni returns from a three-game suspension, during which the Rapids were 1-1-1. He should strengthen Colorado in the middle, where it suffered last week when Colorado settled for a 1-1 tie in San Jose. Quakes center back Jason Hernandez shackled Conor Casey, and central mids Ramon Sanchez and Andre Luiz squeezed the time and space Mehdi Ballouchy needed to create chances

The Rapids also play Saturday in Kansas City, but if they're caught looking ahead, San Jose - despite a miserable record - will punish them, though striker Cornell Glen is out with a sprained knee and wide midfielders Shea Salinas and Arturo Alvarez are hobbled by strained hamstrings. San Jose has an all-time winning record (10-9-2) in road games against the Rapids, which at home this season are 8-2-3 and have scored 23 goals while conceding only eight.
Prediction: Rapids 2, Quakes 0.

RIDGE MAHONEY 2009 PREDICTION RECORD
Last week: 5-2. Spot-ons: 2. Season: 91-99.