{"id":33139,"date":"2015-04-01T09:01:36","date_gmt":"2015-04-01T13:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=33139"},"modified":"2015-04-01T15:03:45","modified_gmt":"2015-04-01T19:03:45","slug":"get-to-know-rapids96","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nesoccertoday.com\/?p=33139","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know: #Rapids96"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>

Photo credit: Chris Aduama\/aduamaphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n

After taking four points in their first two home games of the 2015 campaign, the Revolution (1-2-1 4 points) travel to the Mountain Time Zone, hoping to take their first road result from the Colorado Rapids (0-0-3, 3 points). Kickoff is set for 7:00pm ET on Saturday, April 4th at Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park.<\/p>\n

Here are a few things to know about the Rapids going into Saturday\u2019s match:<\/p>\n

*If you factor preseason fare, Saturday’s match will be the second time in the last six weeks that the Revolution and Rapids\u00a0will face\u00a0each other. On Feb. 22, the squads met in\u00a0the Desert Diamond Cup tournament and\u00a0settled for a 1-1 draw in which Gabriel Torres and Diego Fagundez both scored.<\/p>\n

*Colorado is only three matches into the 2015 season, but already have claimed their place in MLS history as the first team to start their season scoreless through its first three games. All three games of the Rapids\u2019 season so far have ended 0-0.<\/p>\n

*Although Rapids fans might be frustrated with the lack of offense from their squad, they must be impressed with their defense after the team conceded the most goals in MLS in 2014. They also went the entire 2014 season without three consecutive clean sheets, and only\u00a0posted consecutive\u00a0clean sheets twice.<\/p>\n

*Clean sheets or not, Colorado supporters are clamoring for a win, something the Rapids have not delivered in their last 17 MLS regular season games, dating back to July 25th, 2014 when they defeated Chivas USA at home, 3-0.<\/p>\n

*Colorado currently is going through a roster overhaul, and their lineups through three games reflect that: 18 different players have started, 20 have made at least one appearance, and only 6 of the 24 players on the active roster have not made an appearance. In addition, only four players have started all three games for the Rapids, and only goalkeeper Clint Irwin has started the same position in all three games. Forward Gabriel Torres has rotated between striker and attacking midfielder, defender Michael Harrington has started at left and right back, and Lucas Pittinari has started in defensive midfield in all three games, but switched to the right defensive midfielder in their last match against Houston.<\/p>\n

*Despite these changes and lack of stability in the Colorado roster, Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni clearly prefers the same 4-2-3-1 formation that we see from the Revolution and Jay Heaps. Mastroeni has used this formation in each of their three games so far.<\/p>\n

*Another similarity between Mastroeni and Heaps: Both men played for the respective teams they are managing. Pablo Mastroeni is entering his second season as Colorado Rapids coach after retiring at the conclusion of the 2013 season. The former defensive midfielder compiled 65 caps with the United States Men\u2019s National Team, including appearances in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. He also played 334 games in the MLS, including 225 with the Colorado Rapids. Mastroeni also was the captain of the 2010 Colorado Rapids, who won the MLS Cup. Fun fact: Mastroeni and Heaps were Miami Fusion teammates from 1999-2001.<\/p>\n

*Mastroeni has an MLS record of 9-19-11, which includes a 3-0 loss in his only matchup against the New England Revolution on July 30, 2014. That match against the Revolution was the first game after the last Colorado Rapids win.<\/p>\n

*Colorado predictably struggles in many key statistics, ranking (out of 20 MLS teams) 17th in shots per game (9.7), 17th in possession (45.5 percent), and 19th in passing accuracy (71.8 percent).<\/p>\n

*The Rapids\u2019 lone home game of the season was their best game of the short 2015 season to date, as they registered 21 shots to NYCFC\u2019s 9, and 7 shots on goal to NYCFC\u2019s 2. In their two roads games against Philadelphia and Houston, Colorado has been outshot 16-2 and 11-6, respectively.<\/p>\n

*Another stat that benefits Colorado at home is their history hosting the Revolution. The Revolution have never won at Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park and haven\u2019t won in Colorado since Jun. 15, 2002.<\/p>\n

*Here\u2019s a glimpse from last weekend\u2019s Dynamo-Rapids\u00a0match at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston:<\/p>\n