Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake | Roster Notes | May 11, 2019

Starting XI:

Team captain Tim Howard will make his eleventh consecutive start of the 2019 season against Real Salt Lake. In January, the New Jersey native announced that 2019 will be his final season in his storied career. Howard was a mainstay on the US men's national team and spent more than 10 years in England before rejoining MLS with the Rapids in 2016. Since then, the Howard has featured in 85 games, boasting 18 shutouts including one against RSL.

Defender Keegan Rosenberry made his tenth consecutive start with the Rapids last Friday against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Pennsylvania native has played every minute of the 2019 season so far. Rosenberry made 32 regular season appearances with the Union in 2018, 31 from the start, registering one goal and three assists. His lone goal came with a shot from distance as part of the Philadelphia Union's 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake on May 19.

Defender Lalas Abubakarwill make his first appearance for the Burgundy and Blue tonight against Real Salt Lake. The Ghanaian joined the Colorado Rapids earlier this week from Columbus Crew SC where he appeared in 31 games, 27 from the start since 2017.

Defender Deklan Wynne will make his third consecutive start tonight. The 24-year-old enters his second season in Colorado after making 25 regular season appearances with the Rapids in 2018, 22 from the start. 

Homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson gets the start at right back against RSL. Anderson became the youngest Rapids player to make his MLS debut at 16 years and 262 days old against Atlanta United FC on April 27. He became the youngest player to sign with the club when he inked his Homegrown contract on April 3.

Danny Wilsonearns his third consecutive start tonight in the midfield. Wilson is in his second season with the club, featuring in 23 games in 2018.

Midfielder Jack Pricewill make his ninth start of the season tonight. The Englishman is currently in his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous seven years with Wolverhampton Wanders FC. 

Midfielder Sam Nicholsonreturns to the lineup after putting in a 28-minute shift off the bench against Vancouver. Nicholson is in his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous two with Minnesota United FC. The winger found the back of the net twice in 19 appearances in 2018.

Midfielder Kellyn Acostawill start his tenth game of the season tonight. The US international started all 12 matches following the trade from his hometown club FC Dallas in 2018, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Overall, the 23-year-old has 11 goals and 17 assists in his MLS career, including one goal and one assist against RSL.

Forward Jonathan Lewiswill make his first appearance with the Rapids tonight against Real Salt Lake. The USMNT forward joined the Colorado Rapids earlier this week from NYCFC where he featured in 31 games, scoring three goals and five assists. Lewis was called up into the United States national team’s January camp this year under new boss Gregg Berhalter. It didn’t take long for Lewis to make his mark with the Stars and Stripes as he provided two assists during friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica. Overall, Lewis has four caps to his name with the men’s national team. 

Forward Kei Kamarawill make his eleventh consecutive start for the club tonight after spending 2018 with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The MLS veteran scored a brace last weekend against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and holds the fifth spot on the all-time goals list in MLS history with 119 MLS, two of which were against RSL. Kamara has added 44 career assists to his goal total in over 24,000 minutes of regular season play. He's played in every minute of the 2019 campaign.

On the Bench:

Goalkeeper Clint Irwinwill serve as the backup to Tim Howard tonight. Irwin rejoined the Rapids after spending three seasons with Toronto FC. The goalkeeper has appeared in 121 regular season games over his six-year MLS career, recording 33 shutouts, three of which were against RSL. Irwin subbed on for his MLS debut on March 16, 2013 against Real Salt Lake.

Defender Tommy Smith will start tonight on the bench for the second consecutive week. The 29-year-old scored in the 69th minute of his 2019 debut at Toyota Stadium on March 23 against FC Dallas. Smith is in his second season with the Rapids after starting in 33 regular season games with the club in 2018, scoring four goals and adding three assists.

Homegrown midfielder Dillon Serna will start tonight on the bench. This is Serna's seventh season with the club after signing on January 14, 2013. Serna became the first Homegrown to reach 100 regular season appearances on April 27 against Atlanta United FC. 

Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett has appeared in seven games so far this season and was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 6) after his performance on April 6 against Orlando City SC which saw the 17-year-old score a goal and record an assist. Bassett is in his second season with the Rapids after featuring in six regular season games with the club in 2018.

Midfielder Nicolás Mezquidaappears on the gameday roster as a creative option for interim head coach Conor Casey. The 27-year-old opened his 2019 account on April 6 with an equalizer in the 61st minute against Orlando City SC. He tallied his first assist for the club against D.C. United on April 13. Since arriving in MLS, Mezquida has scored 13 goals and added five assists in over 5,000 minutes of regular season play.

Midfielder Johan Blombergappears on the gameday roster for his second time this season. The Swede is currently in his second season with the Rapids after spending his entire professional career in his home country, tallying 28 goals and 39 assists for Ängelholms FF, Halmstads BK, and AIK. 

Forward Andre Shinyashikiprovides a goal-scoring option off the bench against Real Salt Lake.The 21-year-old scored the dramatic stoppage-time equalizer in the 3-3 draw against Portland on March 2, which would eventually be voted MLS Goal of the Week (Week 1). The rookie was selected fifth overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft after four productive years at the University of Denver where he scored 51 goals and added 15 assists over 83 appearances at the NCAA level.

Colorado Rapids Injury Report