Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acosta kicked off his Rapids career with a goal in the 82nd minute against D.C. United. The 23-year-old chipped a sublime ball over the goalkeeper and defender that ended up in the back of the net. The show-stopping goal was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Acosta joined the Rapids after spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with FC Dallas’ first team. He began his career as a member of the FC Dallas Development Academy. Acosta has made 17 USMNT senior appearances and scored his first international goal on July, 1, 2017 in a 2-1 win over Ghana.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg will be in the midfield tonight to face the Galaxy for the first time in his MLS career. The Swede led the team with two crosses and logged 36 touches during his 63 minutes against D.C. United last Saturday. In what will be his 15th start of the year, Blomberg is now over the 1,000 minute mark with 1,122. Blomberg co-leads the team (accompanied with Smith and Price) with three assists and is second overall with 38 total crosses in 2018.
Wingback Edgar Castillo logged his third-straight selection as the HealthONE Player of the Month. The Las Cruces, NM native is one of two defenders (Smith) who have scored for the Rapids this season. Castillo is third overall with 35 crosses and second behind Jack Price with 1,162 touches this season. Both of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week (Week 14 and 17). He will start for the 20th time this season.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 6th start this season. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes in the 2-1 last-minute loss away at D.C. United. He notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Week 20 against Houston Dynamo. Ford co-led the team with Axel Sjöberg with three interceptions.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for his 63rd time since joining the Rapids in 2016. Howard recorded four saves during the Rapids’ match at the nation’s capital last Saturday. The US Men's national team legend has 69 saves and four clean sheets this season. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4 and 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez returns to the Starting XI tonight for the first time since June 1. The Uruguayan has featured 16 times for the Rapids with 11 of those coming from the start.
Striker Jack McBeanwill be facing his former club tonight. The 23-year-old played for the Galaxy from 2011-17. He scored his second goal of the season last weekend against RSL after converting on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. He’s played a total of 641 minutes for the Rapids in 2018. McBean will look to score his third league goal come Saturday, a personal MLS record.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson makes his 15th consecutive start tonight since joining Colorado from Minnesota back on May 2. Tonight’s game will be Nicholson’s first-ever match against LA Galaxy. He’s one of eight players to top the 1,000 minute mark this season with 1,205. Nicholson scored his first goal with the Rapids on July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle. He leads the team with 46 crosses.
Midfielder Jack Price leads the team with 1,288 touches in 2018. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 19 times and played 1,690 minutes. He has one goal and three assist. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season.
Defender Axel Sjöberg will lace up for his seventh game against LA Galaxy since joining the Rapids in 2015. The Stockholm, Sweden native has played 945 minutes in 12 appearances this season. He is currently in his fourth season with Colorado after being acquired as the 14th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Defender Tommy Smith leads the Rapids with 80 clearances this season. He’s notched two goals, one of which was a game-winning goal, three assists and 22 shots in 2018. He’s been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 17 and 18). Smith is the only Rapid to have started every game (21).
On the Bench:
Midfielder Nana Boateng is in the Rapids 18 tonight after being an unused substitute against D.C. United. The Accra, Ghana native has featured 10 times, seven from the start, in 603 minutes.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston is back in the Rapids 18 for tonight’s clash against the LA Galaxy. Hairston scored against the Galaxy in 2014. The 24-year-old has featured seven times for Colorado.
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 is currently in his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes and nine saves in 2018.
Forward Niki Jackson returns to the Rapids 18 for the second time since April 7. The rookie forward has logged 78 minutes in four appearances and one goal (vs. NE).
Midfielder Dillon Serna scored his first goal of the 2018 season with an 88th minute strike to tie the match in the dying minutes versus RSL. The Homegrown player has featured nine times this season racking up 219 minutes.
Defender Danny Wilson has recorded 1,395 minutes, seven shots and an assist in his first season with the Rapids.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the fourth time this season. The versatile defender has played 1,620 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 18 appearances for Colorado, all from the start.
