Starting XI:
Forward Dominique Badji made an immediate impact last week after returning from a one-game suspension with a goal in the 7th minute of play against Chicago. The Dakar, Senegal native leads the Rapids with six goals this season. He’ll be looking to partner with Jack McBean tonight, who also had a great performance last week.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is starting for the Rapids for the tenth time this season. Blomberg missed five consecutive games due to a knee injury that occurred against Real Salt Lake back on April 21. He has played a total of 727 minutes in nine MLS starts and has three assists this season. Blomberg played 88 minutes on Saturday against Chicago.
Wingback Edgar Castillo played all 90 minutes last weekend at home against Chicago. The talented wingback scored his first goal of the season against Vancouver back on June 1. Castillo has notched 13 starts, one goal and one assist this season.
Wingback Marlon Hairston is in the Rapids' Starting XI for the fourth time since acquiring an injury on March 31 against the Philadelphia Union. The Jackson, Mississippi native has missed most of this season after undergoing knee surgery in early April. Hairston has made five starts this season and has played a total of 401 minutes. He was substituted for Enzo Martinez in the 82nd minute against Chicago.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard has started in thirteen games this season. The US Men's National Team legend has 38 saves and two clean sheets with the Rapids in 2018.
Striker Jack McBean is coming off one of his best performances last weekend against the Fire as he was strong in winning challenges and in the air. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. 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 339 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson is making his eighth consecutive MLS start since joining Colorado back on May 2. Before joining the Rapids, Nicholson featured in all eight games for MNUFC this MLS season, picking up a goal and an assist in 526 minutes. He was named Man on the Match for his performance against the New York Red Bulls back on May 12. Nicholson is third behind Blomberg (29) and Castillo (27) with 24 attempted crosses this season.
Midfielder Jack Price is making his thirteenth MLS start of season. Price led the Rapids last weekend in successful passes (34), long balls (8), tackles won (3), chances created (2) and total touches (55) against Chicago.
Defender Tommy Smith is coming off an MLS Team of the Week selection for his goal and assist last Saturday. The Englishman set up Dominique Badji for the first goal of the game and headed in his first MLS goal from a corner kick a few minutes later. Smith has played every minute (1260) this season. He’s notched one goal, three assists,15 shots and 647 touches in 2018.
Defender Deklan Wynne will make his fifteenth consecutive MLS start since joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on December 21, 2017. Wynne recorded a team high of two interceptions last weekend against Chicago. He leads the team with 57 total clearances.
Defender Danny Wilson will be making his eleventh MLS start tonight against Minnesota. The Scottish centerback has played a combined 855 minutes this season since joining the Rapids from Rangers F.C. back on January 29. Wilson played all 90 minutes against Chicago.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Micheal Azira made his second MLS start of the season against Houston. His first start of the season came on May 12 against NYCFC. Azira enters his third season with the club, and his fifth in Major League Soccer. In 2017, he finished with a career high in minutes for a single season with 2,569. The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Midfielder Nana Boateng appears on the bench today against The Loons. This season, Boateng has appeared in eight matches, six from the start, and has played a total of 522 minutes.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi subbed on against Chicago in the 88th minute for Johan Blomberg. The Zürich, Switzerland native has scored one goal in his eight appearances this season.
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.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez subbed on against Chicago last weekend in the 82nd minute for Marlon Hairston. The Uruguayan has played a total of 973 minutes with 599 touches and one assist this season.
Forward Joe Mason came off the bench last weekend for Jack McBean in the 80th minute. Mason has notched two goals and played 563 minutes this season. He has seven starts and ten appearances in 2018.
Defender Axel Sjöberg is back in the Rapids' 18 after missing the last two games due to a concussion he suffered against Vancouver on June 1. The Stockholm, Sweden native has made six appearances this season.
Injury Report:
None
