Starting XI:
William Yarbrough, Jeremy Kelly, Lalas Abubakar, Auston Trusty, Sam Vines, Nicolas Mezquida, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Braian Galván, Andre Shinyashiki, Jonathan Lewis
Subs:
Clint Irwin, Keegan Rosenberry, Drew Moor, Danny Wilson, Nicolas Benezet, Diego Rubio, Jack Price, Younes Namli, Steve Beitashour
Injury Report
Not Medically Cleared:
Kortne Ford
Collen Warner
Notes:
Accumulating Accolades
Three Rapids players were named to the MLS Team of the Week for the second consecutive week. Homegrown defender Sam Vines was named to the MLS starting XI for Week 23 following his 90-minute performance in Colorado's playoff-clinching shutout victory at Portland. Defender Danny Wilson also played 90 minutes against Portland to earn a spot on the Team of the Week bench. Wilson has played in three of Colorado's four shutouts this season. Midfielder Kellyn Acosta was also named to the Team of the Week bench for his game-winning strike in the 83rd minute to punch the Rapids' ticket to the playoffs. Acosta's goal was also an MLS Goal of the Week finalist.
Finishing the Job
Colorado will look to pick up its first win over Houston on Sunday since September 2017. A win would give the Rapids their first-three game winning streak since Robin Fraser's first three matches as head coach in 2019. Three points would elevate Colorado to 1.56 points per game, which would be the Rapids' highest average since they earned 1.71 points per game in 2016 and made it to the Western Conference Final.
All About Goals
Colorado is one of four teams in the Western Conference to have positive goal differentials at home and on the road, along with Sporting KC, Portland and Seattle. The Rapids' 4-3-1 road record is the third-best in the Western Conference, behind Sporting KC and Portland.
