Starting XI:
Midfielder Micheal Azira will be back in the starting lineup for the Rapids tonight. His first start of the season came on May 12 against NYCFC and his most recent start was against Houston on June 9. Azira enters his third season with the club, and his fifth in Major League Soccer. In 2017, he finished with a career high in minutes for a single season with 2,569. The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Striker Dominique Badji returns to the Rapids Starting XI today after missing last weekend’s game due to injury. The Dakar, Senegal native has notched a team-high six goals this season. Badji will look to be on the score sheet tonight, as he did exactly one year ago today against the Sounders. He will be making his 14th start in the 2018 MLS season.
Striker Yannick Boli played 81 minutes for the Rapids last Saturday against Vancouver before being subbed out by Jack McBean. The 5' 11' striker has notched five starts in 10 appearances and has one goal in 441 total minutes.
Wingback Edgar Castilloplayed all 90 minutes away at Vancouver. The talented wingback has now scored two goals this season with his first goal coming against Vancouver back on June 1 and second against Minnesota on June 23, both of which were nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Castillo has notched 15 starts and has one assist this season.
Defender Kortne Ford appears in the Rapids' Starting XI for first time this MLS season. The Olathe, Kansas native played 29 minutes last weekend against Vancouver during his first appearance for the Rapids this MLS season. The talented young defender suffered a knee injury during a team scrimmage in early March that has kept him sidelined the entirety of this season.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi is getting his third start of the season tonight. Gashi was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his two assist performance during Week 17. The Zürich, Switzerland native has scored one goal and has two assists in nine appearances this season.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard comes in to this game on the heels of a 10-save match against Vancouver. The US Men's National Team legend has 54 saves and three clean sheets with the Rapids in 2018. The North Brunswick, New Jersey native was named to the MLS Team of the Week after his record performance.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson is making his 10th consecutive MLS start since joining Colorado back on May 2. He was named Man on the Match for his performance against the New York Red Bulls back on May 12. Nicholson leads the team with 35 attempted crosses, Blomberg is second with 31 and in third Castillo with 29. He had a total of 38 total touches this past Saturday away at Vancouver.
Defender Axel Sjöberg is in the Rapids Starting XI for a consecutive week after a strong performance against Vancouver. Sjöberg played a role in getting the team’s third clean sheet of the season as he notched a team-high four interceptions. The Stockholm, Sweden native has made seven appearances this season.
Defender Tommy Smith led the Rapids last weekend with six headed clearances. The Englishman was named to the MLS Team of the Week for a second time this season with his first selection coming during Week 16. Smith has played every minute (1440) this MLS season. He’s notched two goals, three assists,18 shots and is third overall with 737 touches in 2018.
Defender Deklan Wynne co-lead the Rapids alongside Tommy Smith with a team-high 11 clearances, some of which were critical in last week efforts to keep the third clean sheet of the season. Wynne is set to make his 17th consecutive MLS start, as he is one of only two Rapids who has played every minute this season. He leads the team with 72 total clearances and is second with 646 attempted passes.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Johan Blomberg played 17 minutes against Vancouver. Blomberg missed five consecutive games due to a knee injury that occurred against Real Salt Lake back on April 21. He has played a total of 813 minutes in 11 appearances and has three assists this season.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston returns to the Rapids 18 tonight after being out last weekend. Hairston has started six game for the Rapids in 2018 for a total of 434 minutes.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath has featured in two games this season. MacMath’s first start of the season was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez was an unused substitute against Vancouver last weekend. The Uruguayan has played a total of 1030 minutes with 647 touches and two assists this season.
Striker Joe Mason shot the ball that ricochet off a Vancouver defender for the game-winning own goal last weekend. Mason has notched three goals in 653 minutes this season. He has eight starts and 12 total appearances in 2018.
Striker Jack McBean replaced Yannick Boli in the 81st minute against the Whitecaps. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He’s played a total of 421 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Injury Report:
- None
Suspended:
- Price (Yellow Card Accumulation)
- Wilson (Yellow Card Accumulation)
