Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Will The Real Christian Gomez Please Stand Up?

The Colorado Rapids go into Friday night's Rocky Mountain Cup showdown against Real Salt Lake with what amounts to a mini injury crisis. Pablo Mastroeni and Terry Cooke, two of the most influential players in the team, will not make the trip due to hamstring injuries. Mehdi Ballouchy joins Ugo Ihemelu on the concussion injury list after picking up a knock in the DC game last Saturday. That leaves a new look midfield for this weekend's game with much of the spotlight bound to be put on Christian Gomez. Gomez is the most expensive player in the team and his career so far at the Rapids has not met with expectations. According to Gary Smith on last night's From The Pitch radio show, Gomez is "chomping at the bit" to get his place back in the team. Friday night might just be his opportunity to shine. I personally could see opportunities for John DiRaimondo to partner with Nick LaBrocca in a midfield that also contains Colin Clark but Jacob Peterson could be more likely to start. Up front, given Smith's admission he prefers a 4-4-2 in the English style, I would see Tom McManus partnering Conor Casey with speedsters Herculez Gomez and Omar Cummings on the bench. I am aiming to get up to practice tomorrow and have a word with the coach so I will post again tomorrow with more details.

3 comments:

Scott said...

I am glad to hear that C Gomez is excited to get back in the game. I am hoping that this means he is going to get back to form as in when he was winning games with DC. The rest of the line up should be interesting and with any kind of luck the young guys will step up like they did early in the season. I would love to see McManus up top but would also like to see herc get some time. As far as the midfield, it has been so long since we had four in the midfield I am concerned that they boys will not know what to do with so much space. I can only hope that it motivates guys to make some good runs for Gomez.

BMer916 said...

i sure hope McManus plays, i miss watching him, he's been such a workhorse up top!

i'm sure we're going to look a lot better tonite, sounds like we're forced into the lineup due to injury, there aren't really any questionable starters except whether or not CGomez should start. i hope he does. lets take care of business!

Nick Thomas said...

Could be a crucial night for Christian Gomez. Read today that RSL has not lost at home this season. Always a first time. Thanks boys and here's to taking care of business!