Colorado and New York were tipped to be among the league elite this year. But as injuries and time has worn on, both teams find themselves away from winning ways. Colorado has been devastated by injuries, with key players like Omar Cummings, Conor Casey, Mac Kandji, and Pablo Mastroeni all finding themselves on the trainer’s table. Cummings, Caleb Folan, and Jamie Smith all look to be absent in the fixture, so expect Casey and perhaps Anre to Akpan lead a big forward pairing while Sanna Nyassi fills in the midfield.

New York has been undone by a leaky defense as of late, as the vaunted Solli-Ream-Marquez-Miller backline has allowed six goals in the last three games. Goalkeeper uncertainty has been an issue, as starter Bouna Coundoul was benched last week in favor of Greg Sutton.Two new absences could challenge the Red Bulls, as right winger Dane Richards is away on international duty with Jamaica and Rafa Marquez a possibility to miss action with a groin strain. It may cause a return to old for the Red Bulls, with veterans Mehdi Ballouchy and Carlos Mendes filling in for the duo respectively. It would be intriguing however to see manager Hans Backe roll the dice with Richards out on a 4-3-3, putting Luke Rodgers, Theirry Henry, and Juan Agudelo in a vaunted front three.

Red Bulls Player to Watch: Teemu Tanio. With a faltering defense behind him and some kinks still being worked out offensively, Tanio at defensive mid will be the pivotal player for New York. Look for him to push forward in the midfield and put pressure on the pair of Mastroeni and Jeff Larentowicz.

Rapids Player to Watch: Kei Kimura. The worst kept secret on the Red Bulls is that their biggest weakness is at left back with Roy Miller. The crossing game is huge for Colorado, so Kimura will be charged with getting in service from the right side to the big forwards.

Prediction: The Red Bulls at home have too much for a banged-up Rapids side, winning 1-0 on a De Rosario goal.