The Colorado Rapids and NYCFC have released probable lineups for Saturday’s home opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
According to the official game guide, here’s how both teams are projected to start:
Colorado Rapids vs. NYCFC probable lineups for March 21, 2015. (Provided by MLS)
Colorado:
Clint Irwin, Michael Harrington, Shane O’Neill, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch, Sam Cronin, Lucas Pittinari, Vicente Sanchez, Gabriel Torres, Juan Ramirez, Dominique Badji.
NYCFC:
Josh Saunders, Jeb Brovsky, Chris Wingert, Jason Hernandez, Josh Williams, Mix Diskerud, Andrew Jacobson, Ned Grabavoy, David Villa, Sebastian Velasquez, Adam Nemec.
Colorado will be without defenders Bobby Burling and James Riley, after a two weeks ago.
As a result, O’Neill and Sjoberg are expected to pair at center back, with Harrington sliding over to right back and Burch making his season debut at left back. This unit has worked together over the last two weeks in training. Marlon Hairston, who , suffered a shoulder injury in training that . He’s listed as “out” on the injury report, along with captain Drew Moor who is recovering from a knee injury.
In defensive midfield, Sam Cronin could get his first start of the regular season and would be a , after Marcelo Sarvas missed some time in training this week. He’s listed as “questionable” with a knee injury.
Argentinian designated player Juan Ramirez, who , could make his Rapids debut. The 21-year-old has been working back from a hamstring injury. Dillon Serna, who got the start last week, due to lower back soreness and he’s listed as “questionable.”
Brovsky, a Green Mountain High School grad, has never won in Colorado, but the NYCFC defender told The Denver Post’s John Meyer in front of his own cheering section.
Certainly, there could be some gamesmanship involved with the release of a “probable” lineup — there were plenty of times last season in which the Rapids actual lineup was far different — so don’t be surprised if there are some changes in Saturday’s starting 11.
