Starting XI
Striker Dominique Badji is making his tenth start for the Rapids this season. Badji leads the Rapids with five goals. Earlier this season the striker scored his first-ever MLS hat trick against Philadelphia on March 21. He enters his fourth MLS season after being drafted by the Rapids in 2015.
Wingback Nana Boateng is making his third consecutive start after recovering from a head injury that occurred on April 29 against Orlando City SC. Boateng is embracing the opportunity to play in a different position. Earlier this month he commented, “I think now is a great time for me to show that I can play a different position for the club and also help the team.” This season Boateng has appeared in six matches, five from the start, and has played a total of 435 minutes.
Wingback Edgar Castilloappears in the Starting XI for an 11th time this season since joining the Rapids on loan from C.F. Monterrey back in January. Castillo leads all Rapids defenders with 626 total touches this season. Along with fellow defenders Tommy Smith and Deklan Wynne, Castillo has played every minute (900) this season.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi comes into this game in the striker position for the first time this season. Gashi scored his first goal of the year in the 2-0 victory over Toronto FC on April 14. The Zürich, Switzerland native notched 17 appearances, two goals and one assist in 2017.
Goalkeeper Tim Howardenters his third season in burgundy on the heels of a 2017 campaign that saw the United States Men's National Team legend feature in 25 matches - all from the start. Howard is making his 10th start with a combined 26 saves and two clean sheets this season.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez played all 90 minutes against New York City FC last weekend. Martinez has played a total of 777 minutes with 479 touches, one assist and leads all Rapids midfielders with 126 duels.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson is making his fourth consecutive start since joining the team 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 of the Match for his performance against New York Red Bulls back on May 12. Nicholson has the second highest passing accuracy percentage of any Rapids midfielder with 84.1 percent.
Defender Tommy Smith is in the Starting XI for the 11th time this season. Smith has played every minute (900) this season, additionally, he has two assists, ten shots, 476 total touches and 31 clearances.
Defender Danny Wilson is making his eighth start of the season against the Portland Timbers. The Livingston, Scotland native has played 585 minutes with 308 touches and a passing accuracy of 78.1 percent.
Defender Deklan Wynne will make his 11th consecutive Major League Soccer start after joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on December 21, 2017. He is second on the Rapids defenders list with 558 touches and leads all Rapids defenders with 431 attempted passes.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Micheal Aziramade his first start of the season for the Rapids last weekend 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.
Striker Yannick Bolihas made six appearances, one from the start, for the Rapids this season. The Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France native enters his first year 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.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath appears on the bench this week after getting his first start of the season against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves.
Striker Jack McBean 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 248 minutes for the Rapids this season and has eight shots.
Striker Joe Mason is on the bench this week after playing 59 minutes last weekend against the New York City FC. The Rapids striker has scored two goals this season, his first during his MLS debut against Sporting Kansas City and his second in the 1-1 tie against FC Dallas.
Midfielder Dillon Serna was an unused substitute last weekend against NYCFC. The Homegrown product from Brighton, Colorado, enters his sixth season with the club. Serna has made 6 appearances and played a total of 159 minutes this season.
Defender Axel Sjöberg has been solid this season for the Rapids when his named is called to the Starting 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:
