Get ready for a doozy! I know, the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew are usually so entertaining normally that you can't imagine them being any more entertaining, but imagine them playing with nobody in the center of the pitch! That's what we're going to see tonight. That's because the Rapids are playing their normal 4-4-2 with two holding midfielders and the Crew are countering with two holding midfielders of their own. I know, it makes sense.
Colorado Rapids Vs. Columbus Crew Live, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: Lineups
Why the Crew feel it necessary to play with both Danny O'Rouke and Tony Tchani tonight, well, it makes no sense. At least playing Tchani is interesting though as he makes his first appearance since being traded to Columbus in July (he was traded for Andy Iro so even though Tchani hasn't played, the Crew got the better end of this season). Exactly how fit Tchani is, what kind of form he's in and what the Crew expect out of him are unknown so that will at least be fun. The rest, not so much, but it is the MLS Cup Playoffs and the loser goes home so there is drama.
Colorado Rapids (4-4-2): Matt Pickens; Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Miguel Comminges; Brian Mullan, Jeff Larentowicz, Jamie Smith, Sanna Nyassi; Caleb Folan, Omar Cummings
Bench: Steward Ceus, Scott Palguta, Tyrone Marshall, Ross LaBauex, Joseph Nane, Wells Thompson, Macoumba Kandji
Columbus Crew (4-2-3-1): Will Hesmer; Sebastian Miranda, Chad Marshall, Julius James, Josh Gardner; Danny O'Rourke, Tony Tchani; Eddie Gaven, Robbie Rogers, Dilly Duka; Andres Mendoza
Bench: Andy Gruenebaum, Rich Balchan, Jeff Cunningham, Shaun Francis, Eric Gehrig, Tom Heienmann, Emilio Renteria
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