Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acosta was named to the US men's national team roster for the October friendlies against Peru and Colombia that will be held later this month. Since joining the Rapids, Acosta has notched two goals and two assists. He has started in nine matches (770 minutes). The 23-year-old was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 24) and has been nominated for Goal of the Week on two consecutive occasions (Week 22 and 23).
Forward Giles Barnes is in the Rapids Starting XI for the sixth time since joining on July 13 from Club León. The Jamaican international has logged 467 minutes this season.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg came on last weekend against Seattle for Enzo Martinez in the 70th minute of play. Blomberg has featured in 22 games (1,545 minutes), 19 from the start, in his first year with the Rapids. The Swede has recorded three assists in 2018.
Wingback Edgar Castillo returns to the Starting XI after missing last weekend’s match due to a hamstring injury. The talented defender leads the team with five assists this season and has featured a combined 2,305 minutes in 26 total starts in 2018.
Midfielder/Forward Shkëlzen Gashi will play alongside Barnes up top today against LAFC. Gashi has been on the score-sheet twice this campaign and has an equal number of assists. He will start for the sixth time this season.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston is in the Starting XI today for his tenth time this year. In his fifth season with the Rapids, Hairston has made 11 appearances, nine from the start and has played 747 minutes. The 24-year-old has made one appearance off the bench in 2018.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard topped the 100 saves mark on September 22 against Columbus Crew SC. He currently has 109 saves, his best in burgundy and his third-best in MLS. Today's game marks Howard's 72nd game, all from the start, since joining the club in 2016. The US Men's national team legend has four clean sheets in 2018. He has been named to the MLS Team of the Week three times this season (Week 4,18 and 28).
Midfielder Jack Price has featured 28 times (2,480 minutes) in his first season with the Rapids, all from the start. The Englishman has logged one goal and four assists including one game-winning goal (vs Toronto) and one game-winning assist (vs Philadelphia). Price was named to the MLS Team of the Week in Week 7.
Midfielder Dillon Serna is on the brink of topping the 1,000 minute mark on the year for only the second time in his career. He played 90-minutes last weekend against the Seattle Sounders. Serna scored his first goal of the 2018 season with an 88th minute equalizer in the dying minutes against RSL on July 21. The Homegrown player has featured 17 times this season, racking up 911 minutes in his sixth season with the Rapids. He will be at the top of the diamond tonight.
Centerback Axel Sjöberg makes his return to the Starting XI for the first time since August 4. The Swede has made 13 appearances for Colorado, 11 from the start, registering 974 minutes in his fourth season with the Rapids.
Centerback Tommy Smith has played 2,700 minutes in 30 consecutive starts in 2018. The Englishman opened up the scoreline and notched his third MLS goal at home against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 11. He has been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 16 and 18). Smith is the only player to start in every game for the Rapids this campaign.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Cole Bassett 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 two games for a total of 27 minutes.
Midfielder Nana Boateng will look to come off the bench tonight for the seventh time in 2018. The 24-year-old scored his first MLS goal on August 11 at home in the last kick of the game against the San Jose Earthquakes. Boateng has featured 17 times this season, and has recorded one goal and one assist.
Forward Yannick Boli has featured 14 times (563 minutes) in his first season with the Rapids, seven from the start. The Frenchman opened his account on May 26 at home against the Portland Timbers.
Forward Niki Jackson subbed on in the 16th minute weekend against Seattle. The Memphis, TN native has scored two goals in 351 minutes in his rookie season.
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.
Centerback Danny Wilson has recorded 1,935 minutes, seven shots and an assist in his first season with the Rapids in which he has featured 23 times, 22 from the start.
Wingback Deklan Wynne has made 20 starts for the club in his first season in Colorado. The 23-year-old has racked up 1,826 minutes and logged an MLS Team of the Week selection in Week 5.
