Commerce City, Colo. (August 15, 2011) - The Colorado Rapids today submitted their 23-man roster that is eligible to play in the opening game of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage against Isidro Metapan on Wednesday, August 17 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (8 pm MT;BUY TICKETS).
One obvious omission is forward Conor Casey, who is out for the season with a torn left Achilles. Veteran midfielder Jamie Smith, who played in the European version of the Champions League with Scotland's Celtic, and defender Anthony Wallace have been ruled out for the midweek match due to injury. Youngsters Davy Armstrong, Josh Janniere, and Steve Emory will also not be available for selection. The Rapids coaching staff will select 18 players from the following list for their match day squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Matt Pickens, Stew Ceus, Ian Joyce
DEFENDERS: Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Kosuke Kimura, Danny Earls, Scott Palguta, Mike Holody, Eddie Ababio
MIDFIELDERS: Brian Mullan, Pablo Mastroeni, Jeff Larentowicz, Wells Thompson, Joseph Nane, Ross LaBauex.
FORWARDS: Omar Cummings, Sanna Nyassi, Andre Akpan, Caleb Folan, Quincy Amarikwa, Mac Kandji.
Although the Rapids are participating in their first Champions League, seven players have Champions League experience with their previous MLS clubs: Wynne (Toronto), Marshall (Seattle), Mullan (Houston), Nane (Toronto), Nyassi (Seattle), Larentowicz (New England) and Thompson (New England).
Champions League regulations required participating teams to submit at most a 30-man roster that is eligible to play in the group stage of the tournament. Teams are not required to fill all 30 spots and may add players throughout the stage up to a maximum of 30. Once a player is listed he cannot be removed until the next stage. The 23-man matchday-eligible roster must be turned in 48 hours before each match, and the game day roster one hour prior to kickoff.
