As Sporting Kansas City returns home to take on Western Conference side Colorado, I caught up with Rapids' broadcaster Marcelo Balboa to preview the match. Live pregame coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. CT and is available on KMCI (38 The Spot), SKCTV, 99.3 FM, and La Grande 1340 AM.
Jonathon Feyerherm: What you do expect to see from Colorado in this match?
Marcelo Balboa: You look at Colorado and the pressure's off them. They're not going to make playoffs so they can come out and play a little freer. Those kind of teams can always be dangerous because when you are playing without that much stress sometimes they play better and do things they naturally wouldn't do. I look at Colorado coming into this match and they're probably going to play some new bodies and looking at some kids for next year. The motivation for Colorado is simple. Everybody's fighting for a contract for next year. Everybody's fighting to be on the roster and be a part of the 18. I think there's still a lot of motivation for Colorado.
JF: Who are some of the younger and inexperienced players we might see in the lineup for Colorado tonight?
MB: Marlon Hairston is a player you'll want to watch and Axel Sjoberg is another one you'll want to see what he can do. There's a few guys out there you want to take a look at. You want to see some of your players that you're on the bubble of keeping next year. (Charles) Eloudou is another guy we'd like to see out there to see what he can do. This is an opportunity to look at some of these younger players and start making decisions next year for Colorado. When you don't make the playoffs it's like anything else, you've got to rebuild a little bit.
JF: What things will you be focusing on for this match?
MB: There's a few things. I think you gotta watch the midfield to see how Kansas City is moving the ball around. If they get their outside backs into the attack. I think when Kansas City is as their best, they're pushing four guys almost up top, the two outside backs are pushing into the midfield, and they're really pinning teams back into a corner. I think confidence is going to be huge for Sporting KC players and to see how aggressive they're going to be and willing to take some chances. For Colorado, how well can they keep possession and maintain Dwyer, Feilhaber, Nemeth, and Zusi. Also, can they get in the attack and do they have the confidence to push the ball continiously and push Kansas City back on their heels. There's a few things we're going to be watching and to see individual players who are fighting for a contract for next year.
