Starting XI:
Striker Dominique Badjiwill start up top for the Rapids tonight. The Dakar, Senegal native netted his first away goal of the season as he came off the bench to score in the 78th minute against Montreal this past weekend. Badji leads the team with seven goals in 14 starts this 2018 MLS season.
Striker Giles Barnes is getting his first start as a Rapids player after signing with Colorado yesterday afternoon. The Jamaican national team player is a native of London, England. Barnes has 19 international appearances for Jamaica, scoring three goals, including the game-winning strike against the United States in the 2015 Gold Cup semifinals. He has featured for the Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Orlando City SC, racking up 36 goals and 17 assists in 157 games.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg will be in the right wingback position tonight for his 12th start of the year. Blomberg co-leads the team with three assists and is second overall with 32 crosses. He has played a total of 900 minutes in 11 appearances.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his third start of 2018. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes during Saturday’s away game in Montreal. The talented young defender missed the away game against Houston earlier this season due to a knee injury he suffered during a team scrimmage in early March. Ford has played a combined 209 minutes and has amassed 116 touches and 12 clearances.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for the 60th time since joining the Rapids in 2016. The US Men's national team legend has 59 saves and three clean sheets this season with the Rapids. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4 and most recently during Week 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson makes his 12th consecutive start tonight since joining Colorado from Minnesota back on May 2. Nicholson scored his first-ever goal as a Rapids player on Wednesday, July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle. He leads the team with 39 crosses.
Midfielder Jack Price tops the team with 1,106 total touches in 2018. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 16 times and played 1,440 minutes. He has one goal and three assists and is second in the league with 67 attempted corner kicks. Only New England’s Diego Fagundez has more with 73. The Englishman will partner up with Danny Wilson at midfield once again tonight.
Defender Axel Sjöberg starts in his eight contest this season. The Stockholm, Sweden native has played 675 minutes in nine appearances this season. He’s in his fourth season with Colorado after being acquired as the 14th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Defender Tommy Smith played in the backline for 90 minutes in Montreal. The Englishman has played every minute (1,620) this MLS season. He’s notched two goals, one of which was a game-winning goal, three assists, and 20 shots in 2018.
Danny Wilson has topped the 1,000th minute mark this season with 1,125. Wilson will feature in the midfield for a third time this season alongside Jack Price. The six-foot-two defender will start in his 15th game for the Rapids since being acquired from Rangers F.C. on January 29th.
On the Bench:
Striker Yannick Boli was sent off last time Colorado faced Houston back on June 9. The French native has netted one goal in his first season with the Rapids.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi will be available off the bench for the second game in a row. Gashi has scored two goals against Houston, both of which were back in 2016. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his two assist performance during Week 17. The Zürich, Switzerland native has scored one goal and has two assists in 11 appearances this season.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston did not see the field in the 1-0 loss to Montreal. Hairston has played a combined 295 minutes against Houston since 2014. He’s scored two career goals against the Dynamo.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez was not in the Rapids 18 when Colorado played Houston earlier this year. The Montevideo, Uruguay native will look to come off the bench for a fifth time this season if his name is called upon.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath has featured in two games this season. MacMath’s first start of the season was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Striker Jack McBean replaced Marlon Hairston the last time the sides met. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12th. McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He’s played a total of 486 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the first time this season. The versatile defender has started every match up to this point. He is one of only two Rapids who has played every minute this season with a total of 1,620. The Rapids acquired the Wynne from Vancouver last December.
Injury Report:
- None
