Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acosta will make his 12th appearance for the Rapids today against his former club FC Dallas. The USMNT midfielder has two goals and two assists in his first season with the Rapids. Over the international break, he scored a goal and assisted for the US in their matches against Colombia and Peru. Acosta was acquired by the Rapids via a trade with FC Dallas on July 23, 2018. He will play in the holding midfielder spot today.
Midfielder Cole Bassett will make his third MLS start today and will be at the top of the Rapids diamond. Bassett made history two weeks ago as the youngest Rapids starter in club history at 17 years of age. The Littleton, CO native featured all 90 minutes of his first MLS start and was selected in the Team of the Week for his outstanding performance against Minnesota. Earlier this season, he became the youngest Rapids player to ever feature in an MLS match at 17 years and 42 days on September 8 against the Portland Timbers. In total, the Homegrown midfielder has featured in five games, two from the start, for a total of 217 minutes.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg was an unused substitute last weekend at San Jose. Blomberg has featured in 23 games (1,597 minutes), 20 from the start, in his first year with the Rapids. The Swede has recorded three assists in 2018.
Midfielder Nana Boateng played all 90 minutes last weekend against San Jose. The 24-year-old scored his first MLS goal on August 11 at home in the final kick of the game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Boateng has featured 19 times this season, and has recorded 1,146 minutes, one goal and one assist. He’s lacing today up to make his 14th start.
Forward Yannick Boli has featured 16 times (678 minutes) in his first season with the Rapids, eight from the start. The Frenchman opened his account on May 26 at home against the Portland Timbers and scored his second goal of the season against the Loons in the 2-0 road win on October 13.
Midfielder/Forward Shkëlzen Gashi will make his 21st appearance of the 2018 season. Gashi has been on the scoresheet twice this campaign and has an equal number of assists. The Zürich, Switzerland native will start for the ninth time this season. He has made 12 substitute appearances in 2018.
Midfielder Marlon Hairstonhas topped the 1,000 minute mark and led the team with three crosses last weekend on the road at San Jose. In his fifth season with the Rapids, Hairston has made 14 appearances, 12 from the start and has played 1,017 minutes. He was named to Team of the Week for his outstanding performance against the Loons in Week 33.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard logged his sixth clean sheet of the year in the 0-0 draw on the road at San Jose. Howard topped the 100 saves mark on September 22 against Columbus Crew SC. He currently has 117 saves, which ranks third overall this MLS season. The US men's national team legend has notched 693 MLS career saves. He has been named to the MLS Team of the Week three times this season (Week 4,18, and 28). Today's game marks Howard's 75th game, all from the start, since joining the club in 2016.
Centerback Axel Sjöberg makes his fourth-consecutive Starting XI appearance at centerback today against FC Dallas in what is his 81th MLS game. The towering 6’7” Swede has made 16 appearances for Colorado, 14 from the start, registering 1,244 minutes in his fourth season with the Rapids.
Centerback Tommy Smith makes his 33rd start for Colorado. Smith leads the team with 2,879 played minutes in his first campaign with the club. The Englishman has notched three goals and three assists. He leads the team with 120 clearances on the season.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will make his 21st start for club in his first season in Colorado. The 23-year-old has racked up 1,871 minutes and logged an MLS Team of the Week selection in Week 5. He came on last weekend at halftime for a injured Edgar Castillo in the 2-0 win over Minnesota.
On the Bench:
Forward Giles Barnes has been in the Rapids Starting XI six times since joining the Rapids on July 13 from Club León. The Jamaican international has been kept to only 523 minutes this season in ten appearances due to an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for a total of four matches.
Wingback Kip Colvey has made three appearances, all from the start in his first season in Colorado. Colvey has played a combined 208 minutes.
Midfielder Sam Hamilton could get his first MLS minutes in this 2018 campaign if he is to sub on this afternoon. The 23-year-old from Evergreen, Colorado was signed to a contract on March 4, 2017, having been selected in the first round (15th overall) in the MLS SuperDraft.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath, currently in his fourth season with the Colorado Rapids, has featured in two games (158 minutes), one from the start. The St. Petersburg, Florida native has recorded nine saves this season. He was not part of the Rapids 18 last weekend due to an illness that kept him sidelined.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez will look to come off the bench for the seventh time this season. The Montevideo, Uruguay native has logged two assists in his first season with the Rapids.
