GOING ON A RUN
With their 0-0 road draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last weekend, the Rapids extended their current unbeaten run to six games in MLS (1-0-5); across all competitions, the Burgundy Boys have not seen defeat in seven games (2-0-5).
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A NEW CLUB RECORD
Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough recorded his 30th career shutout in the Rapids draw against Vancouver, setting a new club record for most shutouts all-time. Yarbrough recently surpassed Joe Cannon for the fourth-most appearances by a Rapids goalkeeper and his 35 wins with the club are just one away from surpassing Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in club history. The two-time Liga MX champion heads into this weekend’s game tied for fourth in MLS with four clean sheets and ranked seventh in saves in the league (33).
RISING RUBIO
Forward Diego Rubio enters Saturday’s contest with one goal and two assists from his past four games. During that stretch, the Chilean international surpassed Marcelo Balboa for eighth-most assists in Rapids history and is one assist away from surpassing Adrian Paz for seventh-most. Rubio recently recorded his 100th regular-season appearance in Burgundy, becoming just the fourth forward in club history to reach that tally. His 36 goals as a member of the Rapids are one away from tying John Spencer for fourth-most goals scored in club history. Rubio, 29, enjoyed a career year in 2022 in which he equaled the Rapids’ all-time, single-season scoring record (16 goals) and set a new record for most goal contributions in a season in club history (23; 16 goals, 7 assists).
Rubio’s 60 goal contributions (34 goals, 26 assists) in his career with Colorado are one shy of tying Paul Bravo for the fourth most in club history. The Chilean also needs one assist to join Omar Cummings (39 goals, 27 assists) as the only players in club history with at least 35 goals and 25 assists.
DANNY’S DEBUT
Rapids midfielder Danny Leyva made his Rapids debut when he substituted into last Saturday’s match against the Whitecaps in the 89th minute. The 19-year-old midfielder was recently acquired on loan from Seattle Sounders FC.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
- Rapids forward Kévin Cabral spent two seasons with the LA Galaxy, recording 67 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and delivering nine assists while helping the Galaxy return to the MLS Cup Playoffs this past season for the first time since 2019.
- Rapids goalkeeper Marko Ilić and Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić were both teammates at the international level with Serbia’s U-17 (2015), U-19 (2017) and U-21 (2019) sides, and have both received caps at the senior level.
- Rapids defender Danny Wilson and Galaxy defender Chris Mavinga were teammates from 2010-11 at Liverpool FC.
- Rapids midfielder Ralph Priso, Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado and Galaxy defenders Eriq Zavaleta and Chris Mavinga were teammates from 2020-21 with Toronto FC.
- Galaxy defender Kelvin Leerdam and Rapids midfielder Danny Leyva were teammates from 2019-20 with Seattle Sounders FC.
- Galaxy homegrown midfielder Efraín Álvarez and Rapids homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson were teammates in 2016 with the U.S. U-15s. Álvarez is also the younger brother of former Rapids midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who made 11 appearances for the club from 2014-15.
- Rapids midfielder Danny Leyva and Galaxy forward Preston Judd were both born in Las Vegas, NV.
- Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis and Galaxy forward Tyler Boyd both featured for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.
- Rapids head coach Robin Fraser began his MLS career with the LA Galaxy after being selected fourth overall by the club in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. Fraser went on to make 151 appearances with LA across all competitions, winning the 1998 Supporters’ Shield.
- LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney made nine starts for the Rapids in 2007, his lone season with the club after being acquired via trade with FC Dallas. Fraser and Vanney were teammates during their time at the Galaxy and later served as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, of Chivas USA between 2011-12. Fraser would then serve as Vanney’s assistant during the pair’s time together on Toronto FC’s technical staff between 2015-19.
- LA Galaxy technical director Jovan Kirovski,was a member of the Rapids from 2005 to 2008, scoring 12 goals and delivering four assists over 61 regular-season appearances.
- Rapids assistant coach Neil Emblen was the caretaker manager for New Zealand’s national team when Tyler Boyd made his national team debut in 2014.
- LA Galaxy assistant coach Jason Bent made 51 appearances, scored two goals and delivered four assists for the Rapids from 1998-00.
MILESTONE TRACKER
- GK William Yarbrough is one win away from recording his 36th win with the Rapids, which would surpass Clint Irwin for third-most wins all-time by a Rapids goalkeeper.
- F Diego Rubio is one goal away from tying John Spencer for fourth-most goals in club history (37).
- Rubio is one assist away from surpassing Adrián Paz for seventh-most in club history (24).
- Rubio is one goal contribution (goal or assist) away from tying Paul Bravo for the fourth most in club history (61).
- F Kévin Cabral is one start away from collecting his 50th start in MLS.
