LAST TIME VERSUS LAFC
The Colorado Rapids face LAFC for the second time this season. The first time, April 1, was a scoreless draw at home that saw forward Diego Rubio record his 100th appearance and defender Keegan Rosenberry record his 200th appearance. The scoreless draw came courtesy of goalkeeper William Yarbrough's 28th clean sheet for the club, which was one away from the franchise record 29 clean sheets held by 2010-MLS-Cup-winning Matt Pickens.
Colorado has yet to win on the road against LAFC, losing their four away games in the series’ history. However, LAFC has struggled recently in league play, only winning one of the club's last six games. During the stretch, LAFC lost three games in a row, marking the first time this season the team has dropped three-consecutive games. LAFC conceded in every game during the six-game stretch except for the game the team won.
POTENTIAL DEBUTS IN BURGUNDY
Wednesday's contest could see the Rapids debuts of new signings Rafael Navarro and Sidnei Tavares. Navarro, a Brazilian striker, recently joined the team as a Designated Player on loan from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Palmeiras where he scored 11 goals and delivered four assists across 65 appearances through all competitions—including eight goals and two assists across 13 Copa Libertadores appearances—en route to helping Palmeiras earn the 2022 league title, as well as the 2022 Recopa Sudamericana. Tavares joins the club as a U22 Initiative signing on loan from Liga Portugal 2 side FC Porto B, where he tallied 38 appearances and four assists through all competitions. The Cascais, Portugal, native is a product of English Premier League side Leicester City, with whom he made his professional debut.
RUBIO’S RETURN
Rapids forward Diego Rubio scored the club's only goal in their Leagues Cup Group Stage loss to Deportivo Toluca FC on July 31 after entering the game as a second-half substituute. The game marked Rubio's return to action in any competition for the first time since a June 24th MLS match against the LA Galaxy. The Chilean striker, who was the Rapids’ leading scorer in 2022 with 16 goals (seven assists), has featured in less than 30% of all available minutes this season due to various injuries.
KEEPING KEITA
On Wednesday, the Rapids re-signed defender Aboubacar Keita to a multi-year contract through the 2025 season with a club option for an additional year. Keita, 23, is in his second season with the Rapids after joining the club via trade from Columbus Crew in January 2022. He spent four years with the Crew after signing a Homegrown Player contract with the midwestern side in 2019, logging 2,695 minutes across 37 appearances and winning the 2020 MLS Cup and the 2021 Campeones Cup during his time in Columbus. The New York City native has represented the United States at the youth level, making eight appearances with the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team, including five starts at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
