Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acosta returns to Colorado after featuring in two friendly matches for the US Men’s National team. The talented midfielder played 35 minutes against Brazil and 85 minutes against Mexico. In his first season with the Rapids, Acosta has notched two goals and two assists and has played 500 total minutes.
Forward Giles Barnes played his first full 90-minute match on the road last weekend at Portland. The London, England native will be making his fourth start and his fifth appearance for Colorado. Barnes co-led the team with two crosses against the Timbers and shot a laser into the top-right corner which was saved by the fingertips of Steve Clark. He's logged 283 minutes on the season.
Midfielder Nana Boateng returns to the Rapids' Starting XI after serving a one-game suspension for being sent off against Real Salt Lake on August 25. The 24-year-old scored his first MLS goal on August 11 at home in the last kick of the game against San Jose. Boateng has featured 14 times this season, nine from the start and has one goal and one assist.
Defender Edgar Castillo leads all Rapids defenders in touches (1,625) and in crosses attempted (43). He recorded his third goal this season in the 74th minute against the LA Galaxy and set up Niki Jackson for an equalizer in the 82nd minute. The skillful defender notched consecutive assists in three games (vs LA, vs SJ and at LA) in the month of August. Two of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week (Week 14 and 17).
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 12th start for the Rapids, as he takes the centerback position tonight against Atlanta United. The Olathe, Kansas native played 71 minutes against Portland on September 8. The 22-year-old Homegrown product recorded 26 successful passes and had 51 total touches. Ford notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Week 20 against the Houston Dynamo. Should he play the full 90 minutes, he’ll top the 1,000 minute mark on the season.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston returns to the Rapids' Starting XI today. Hairston’s most recent start was against San Jose on Augst 11, in a match he would feature for 73 minutes. In his fifth season with the Rapids, Hairston has made eight appearances, seven from the start and has played 568 minutes. The 24-year-old has made one appearance off the bench in 2018.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard is up to 95 total saves on the year, his best as a Rapid and his third-best in MLS. He starts in goal for his 68th time since joining the club in 2016. His performance against San Jose earned him his third MLS Team of the Week (24) selection of this season. The US Men's national team legend has four clean sheets in 2018. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4, in Week 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver and most recently Week 28, as he appeared on the bench in the MLS Team of the Week.
Forward Sam Nicholson is back in the Starting XI after missing two-consecutive games due to a back injury. The Scotsman has featured 18 times, all from the start, and has two goals and two assists this season. He leads the Rapids with 12 shots on goal.
Midfielder Jack Price led the team with 86 successful passes, and 15 good long balls against Portland. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 25 times and played 2,210 minutes. He has one goal and four assists. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season. He leads the team with 1,900 touches and 1,576 attempted passes in 2018.
Midfielder Dillon Serna is in the Starting XI for the fifth time this season. He played his fourth 90-minute game in the midfield on the road against Portland. Serna scored his first goal of the 2018 season with an 88th minute equalizer in the dying minutes versus RSL. The Homegrown player has featured 14 times this season, four from the start, racking up 641 minutes.
Centerback Tommy Smith has played 2,340 minutes in 27 consecutive starts in 2018. Smith notched 51 successful passes, 65 touches, and three intercepted passes against Portland. Tommy opened up the scoreline and notched his third MLS goal at home against San Jose on August 11. He has been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 17 and 18). Smith is the only Rapid to have started in every game.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Cole Bassett made history last weekend as he became the youngest Rapid to ever feature in an MLS match at 17 years and 42 days. He played 19 minutes on the road at the Portland Timbers.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg will look to come off the bench today against Atlanta United. The Swede played all 90 minutes against Portland and recorded 39 successful passes, one cross, and three intercepted passes.
Forward Niki Jackson returns to the Rapids' 18 after serving a one-game suspension. The Memphis, TN native has scored two goals in 209 minutes in his rookie season.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi played 55 minutes against Portland last weekend. Gashi has featured 15 times, four from the start, and logged 429 minutes. He has one goal and two assists. He has come off the bench for the Rapids a combined 11 times in 2018.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath has featured in two games this MLS season. MacMath’s first start was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He is currently in his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes and nine saves in 2018.
Centerback Danny Wilson is in third amongst the defenders with 59 total clearances in 2018. Wilson has recorded 1,755 minutes, seven shots and an assist in his first season with the Rapids in which he has featured 21 times, 20 from the start. Wilson played five games in the midfield earlier this season.
Wingback Deklan Wynne can come off the bench for the fourth time in 2018. The versatile defender has played 1,685 minutes and logged a Week 5 MLS Team of the Week selection in 2018. The Rapids acquired Wynne from Vancouver last December. He has made 20 appearances for Colorado, 18 from the start.
