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Rapids-Earthquakes Preview

Sep 17, 2009 - 7:15 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Colorado (10-8-6) at San Jose (5-12-5), 11:00 p.m. EDT

Key absences might pose a problem for the Colorado Rapids, and a home-and-home set against the last-place San Jose Earthquakes isn't exactly ideal.

The Rapids will try to end a four-game road losing streak Friday night and beat the Earthquakes for the first time in more than five years.

Colorado (10-8-6) will be without defensive midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (suspension) and goalkeeper Matt Pickens (knee injury) again after falling 3-2 at Toronto on Saturday.

Mastroeni is serving the last of a three-game suspension stemming from a yellow card he received in a 1-0 win over Houston on Aug. 30, when he endangered the safety of defender Andrew Hainault, who was injured on the play. The card moved Mastroeni to the limit of five, warranting a one-game suspension and the league's disciplinary committee added two more along with a $1,500 fine.

Pickens will miss a second consecutive game after he got hurt during practice last week. He's expected to be out at least one more week and will be replaced by veteran backup Preston Burpo, who had two saves Saturday in his first MLS start since a 1-all tie with Los Angeles on April 25.

"For goalkeepers who haven't played, it is tough coming into a big atmosphere, a big game, and getting into the pace of it," coach Gary Smith said following Saturday's loss. "He'll be disappointed he's conceded three goals, that's for sure."

Those absences could be key, as Colorado is tied with D.C. and Chivas USA for the last three playoff spots. However, the Rapids are fourth in the Western Conference, one point behind third-place Seattle and two back of Los Angeles for second, while holding a game in hand.

Colorado has dropped four in a row on the road, getting outscored 12-5 to fall to 2-6-3 away from home this season. The club plays four of its remaining six games on the road.

The Rapids are visiting San Jose (5-12-5) for the first time since a 1-all tie July 12, 2008. They're winless in the last nine games overall with the conference rival, going 0-7-2 since a win April 24, 2004.

Colorado hasn't won in five games at San Jose (0-3-2) dating to Aug. 30, 2003.

The Earthquakes, who are 5-4-3 at home, haven't played an MLS match since a 2-1 loss to New England on Aug. 29 and they have been off 10 days since a friendly against C.D. Aguila.

San Jose will be without midfielder Darren Huckerby after his season ended prematurely following hip surgery Saturday.

Huckerby's absence could mean Ryan Johnson will return to the lineup after being used as a substitute for the last two games. The forward leads the Earthquakes with a career-high seven goals, but hasn't found the back of the net in four consecutive games and seven of eight.

Johnson's only goal in four career games against Colorado came in the last meeting at Buck Shaw Stadium.