Starting XI
Striker Dominique Badji, who has scored four goals in six games three of which came from a hat-trick against Philadelphia on March 21, enters his fourth season after being drafted by the Rapids in 2015. He topped the club in goals (9) during the 2017 campaign. Badji has 21 goals in 5,442 minutes of play for the Rapids - firing 138 shots over that time.
Wingback Nana Boateng is in the Rapids Starting XI again after making his first two starts of the season against FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. Boateng enters his second season with the club after signing from Manchester City of the English Premier League. He’s played 202 minutes with eight shots this season.
Wingback Edgar Castillo, who will make his seventh consecutive start for the Rapids, enters his first season with the club after being acquired on January 9, 2018 via a one-year loan from Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey. Castillo is one of only two players to have featured on the international stage for both the United States and Mexico. Castillo has played every minute this season.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi, who scored a penalty kick in the 2-0 victory over Toronto FC on April 14, is in the starting XI for the first time this season. The Zürich, Switzerland native notched 17 appearances, two goals and one assist in 2017. Gashi came on as a substitute last weekend in the 68’ minute for Enzo Martinez against Real Salt Lake.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath came on for the Rapids last weekend against Real Salt Lake after Rapids’ starting goalkeeper Tim Howard was sent off with a red card in the 20th minute. Today’s game against Orlando City SC will mark as MacMath’s first start of the season, as he enters his eighth year in Major League Soccer, fourth in Colorado.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez is making his sixth start of the season. A two-time USL MVP finalist and member of the 2012 Generation Adidas class, Martinez comes into this 417 played minutes and eight shots.
Striker Joe Mason returns up top for the Colorado after missing two matches due to a leg injury. Mason has scored two goals for the Rapids, his first during his MLS debut against Sporting Kansas City and his second in the 1-1 tie against FC Dallas. So far, this season Mason has started three games and played 220 minutes.
Midfielder Jack Price will be making his seventh consecutive start at the center of the field for the Rapids. He scored his first MLS goal for the on April 14 against Toronto FC. Price joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers using Targeted Allocation Money on January 9, 2018. He appeared 97 times for Wolves and has been impressive for the Rapids at the centerfield position.
Defender Tommy Smith makes his seventh Major League Soccer start on Saturday since joining the club from Ipswich Town of the English Championship on January 22, 2018. The New Zealand international featured for his country at the 2010 World Cup and last summer's Confederations Cup in Russia. Smith has played every minute (540’) this season and has two assists.
Defender Danny Wilson is back in the Rapids 18 after missing two weeks due to injury. He joined the club from Rangers FC of the Scottish Premier League. The 26-year-old comes to MLS in the prime of his career after stints with Hearts and Liverpool, as well as 31 caps for the Scottish National Team (at all levels).
Defender Deklan Wynne will make his seventh consecutive Major League Soccer start on today after joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps on December 21, 2017. A versatile defender, Wynne played internationally with New Zealand under Rapids Head Coach Anthony Hudson and started all four matches of his country's trip to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Micheal Azira, who came on as a substitute against FC Dallas, 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 (2,569). The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Striker Yannick Boli, who came on for the Rapids last weekend against Real Salt Lake, appears in the Rapids 18 for the third time since his arrival from China last month. The Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France native enters his first season with the Rapids after accumulating 16 goals in 24 games and winning the China League One with his former club Dàlián Yīfāng. Boli is eligible to play internationally for both France and Ivory Coast.
Wingback Kip Colvey has made two starting XI appearance this season since being picked third overall in the 2017 MLS Waiver Draft on December 13, 2017. Colvey featured in four of six 2018 World Cup qualification matches for New Zealand against Fiji, Solomon Islands and Peru in 2017.
Striker Jack McBean appears on the bench this week for the Rapids. 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 162 minutes for the Rapids this season and has six shots on goal.
Midfielder Dillon Serna, a homegrown product from Brighton, Colorado, enters his sixth season with the club. He came on as a substitute in the 80th minute during the 1-1 tie against FC Dallas. Serna has made 74 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals in 3,632 minutes.
Defender Axel Sjöberg appears on the bench this week with the return of defender Danny Wilson to the staring XI. Sjöberg is entering his fourth season with the club after being selected 13th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He has made 68 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
Injury Report:
