Midfielder Kellyn Acostahas made an immediate impact since joining the Rapids from FC Dallas. The Plano, TX native has notched consecutive goals in both of his league starts as a Rapid. He fired a laser into the bottom right corner of the goal from outside of the box in the 50th minute to tie the match 1-1 against the Galaxy, a match the Rapids would go on to win 2-1. His strike was once again nominated for Goal of the Week (23) by the league. Acosta kicked off his Rapids career with a goal in the 82nd minute against D.C. United. The 23-year-old chipped a sublime ball over the goalkeeper and defender that ended up in the back of the net.
Midfielder Nana Boateng is in the Starting XI tonight after coming off a great performance against LA Galaxy. The Accra, Ghana native came on for the Rapids at halftime and logged his first assist of the 2018 campaign. Boateng has featured in seven matches, 11 of them from the start.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston came off the bench last week in the 29th minute for an injured Axel Sjöberg. Hairston took the left wingback spot and nearly scored in the second half of play. He returns to the Starting XI tonight as he looks to continue to torment the opposition. He led the team with three total crosses against LA.
Wingback Edgar Castillo recorded the game-winning assist in the 90th minute when Sam Nicholson sealed the game for the Rapids. The Las Cruces, NM native is one of two defenders (Smith) who have scored for the Rapids this season. Castillo is third overall with 35 crosses and second behind Jack Price with 1,231 touches this season. Both of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week (Week 14 and 17). He will start for the 21st time this season.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 7th start this season. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win versus the LA Galaxy. The young defender played as a centerback after Axel Sjöberg went off injured in the 29th minute. He notched his first MLS Team of the Week honor for his performance during Week 20 against the Houston Dynamo. Ford had 51 total touches over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for his 64th time since joining the Rapids in 2016. Howard recorded three saves against LA. The US Men's national team legend has 72 saves and four clean sheets this season. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4 and 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez is in the Starting XI for a second-consecutive week at the top of the diamond in the midfield. The Uruguayan has featured 17 times for the Rapids with 12 of those coming from the start. Enzo has notched two assists and has played for 1,201 minutes in 2018.
Striker Jack McBeanwillfeature up top for the Rapids against San Jose. The 23-year-old is one goal away from an all-time high in goals. He scored his second goal of the season last weekend against RSL after converting on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. He’s played a total of 715 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson scored his second goal in the 90th minute of play against the Galaxy last weekend. His goal secured the Rapids’ 2-1 win in front of a sell-out crowd at DSGP. Tonight’s game will be Nicholson’s first-ever match against San Jose as a Rapid. Sam led the team with three shots on target last weekend. Nicholson scored his first goal with the Rapids on July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle. He leads the team with 46 crosses.
Midfielder Jack Price led the team with 90 touches, 13 long balls, five interceptions and 72 successful passes. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 20 times and played 1,780 minutes. He has one goal and four assists. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season. He leads the team with 1,378 touches in 2018.
Defender Tommy Smith is on the brink of the 2,000 minute mark with 1,980. He’s notched two goals, one of which was a game-winning goal, three assists and 24 shots in 2018. He’s been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 17 and 18). Smith is the only Rapid to have started every game (22).
On the Bench:
Midfielder Cole Bassett is in the Rapids' 18 for the first time in his young career. The 17-year-old signed a four-and-a-half year contract just yesterday making him the youngest player to ever sign for the club. Bassett is a tactical and skillful box-to-box midfielder who has been training with the senior team this 2018 season. He’ll look to take the field for what can be his first-ever minutes in MLS. The Littleton, Colorado native is the eighth Development Academy player to sign a first-team contract with the Rapids.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is on the bench tonight against San Jose. Blomberg played 45 minutes against the Galaxy and logged 42 successful passes and co-led the team with three chances created. The Swede has featured 16 times for Colorado.
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 is currently in his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes and nine saves in 2018.
Forward Niki Jackson returns to the Rapids 18 for the second-consecutive week. The rookie forward has logged 94 minutes in five appearances and one goal (vs NE).
Midfielder Dillon Serna scored his first goal of the 2018 season with an 88th minute strike to tie the match in the dying minutes versus RSL. The Homegrown player has featured nine times this season racking up 219 minutes.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the fifth time this season. The versatile defender has played 1,620 minutes and logged a Week 5 MLS Team of the Week selection. The Rapids acquired Wynne from Vancouver last December. He has made 18 appearances for Colorado, all from the start.
