Colorado Rapids vs Sporting Kansas City | Roster Notes | March 17, 2019

Starting XI:

Goalkeeper Tim Howardwas named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 1) after his performance against the Timbers in the Rapids home opener. Tonight will mark Howard's third consecutive start of the 2019 season. In January, the New Jersey native announced that 2019 will be his final season in his storied playing career. Howard has been 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 76 games, boasting 18 shutouts.

Defender Keegan Rosenberry made his second start with the Rapids last Saturday against Sounders FC after spending three seasons with the Philadelphia Union. The Pennsylvania native has played every minute of the 2019 season so far. A  technically skilled right back, Rosenberry will be looking to become a regular in the Rapids lineup after coming off a bounce-back season with the Union in 2018. He made 32 regular season appearances with the Union in 2018, 31 from the start, registering one goal and three assists.

Defender Axel Sjöberg will make his second start of the 2019 season. Sjöberg enters his fifth season with the Rapids after being selected in the first round (No. 14 overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Swede's organization and ability in the air on set pieces will be crucial against SKC.

Defender Deklan Wynnewill make his third consecutive start of the season tonight. Wynne has played every minute of the 2019 season. The 23-year-old enters his second season in Colorado after making 25 regular season appearances with the Rapids in 2018, 22 from the start.

Defender Dillon Sernawill make his third start of the season tonight against SKC. Last Saturday's match against Sounders FC marked Serna's 50th career start. He has played in every minute of the 2019 season. The Homegrown was named Man of the Match after his performance against the Timbers during the Rapids season opening match. This is Serna'sseventh season with the club after signing on January 14, 2013, and he is just 7 games away from making his 100th regular season appearance for the Rapids.

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber made his second start for the Rapids last Saturday against Sounders FC after signing as a free agent on January 11. One week prior, Feilhaber was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 1) after scoring in the 46th minute to put the Rapids level with the Timbers. Feilhaber has played every minute of the 2019 season. Since his MLS debut in 2011, the US international has scored 38 goals and added 56 assists in over 18,000 minutes of regular season play. 

Midfielder Jack Pricewill make his second start of the season tonight against Sporting KC after going the full 90 last Saturday against Sounders FC. Price enters his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous seven years with Wolverhampton Wanders FC. His vision, passing range and tactical awareness proved successful during his first MLS season in 31 appearances.

Midfielder Kellyn Acostagrabbed his first assist of the 2019 season feeding Kei Kamara in the 16th minute of the 3-3 draw in the Rapids season opening game. A week later, the Texas native put in a 77-minute shift against Sounders FC before being replaced by Andre Shinyashiki. Acosta was traded to the Rapids in July after spending his entire MLS career with FC Dallas. The US international started all 12 matches following the trade, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Overall, the 23-year-old has 11 goals and 16 assists in his MLS career.

Midfielder Nicolás Mezquidawill make his third start for the Rapids tonight after spending five seasons with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Last Saturday, Mezquida put in an 85-minute shift against Sounders FC before being replaced by Niki Jackson. The Uruguayan is a positionally versatile attacker, proficient at both setting up teammates and finishing in the attack. Since arriving in MLS, he has scored 12 goals and added four assists in over 4,000 minutes of regular season play. 

Forward Diego Rubiowill make his third start for the Rapids tonight after spending three seasons with Sporting Kansas City. Rubio put in his first full 90-minute shift against Seattle last Saturday. The Chilean averaged 0.92 goals per 90 minutes in 2018 which put him behind only Atlanta’s Josef Martínez and LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimović. He bagged eight goals and six assists in 2018 in just 781 minutes.

Forward Kei Kamarawill make his third start for the club tonight after spending 2018 with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The MLS veteran scored the first goal of the 2019 campaign against the Portland Timbers during his Rapids debut. The goal was Kamara's 113th career MLS goal, good enough for sixth in league history. Kamara has also added 44 career assists in over 23,000 minutes of regular season play, and has played in every minute of the 2019 campaign.

On the Bench:

Goalkeeper Andre Rawls joined Colorado in December after spending the last three seasons with New York City FC.

Defender Tommy Smith returns to the gameday roster after missing the first two games of the season due to injury. 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 three assists. 

Defender Danny Wilsonbegins tonight's match on the bench after putting in a full 90 last Saturday in Seattle. Wilson is in his second season with the club, featuring in 23 games in 2018.

Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett made his first start of 2019 on March 2 against the Timbers, putting in a 40-minute shift. The 17-year-old became the youngest player to sign with the club when he inked his Homegrown contract on August 10. Following his signing, Bassett made an immediate impact, earning three starts in six appearances and scoring his first MLS goal in a 2-1 win over FC Dallas on October 28. The midfielder was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice in 2018.

Midfielder Johan Blombergfeatures on the gameday roster for the second consecutive week. Blomberg is in his second season with the Rapids after making 24 regular season appearances with the club in 2018. The versatile midfielder grabbed three assists during his first MLS season. 

Forward Andre Shinyashikiscored the stoppage time equalizer in the 3-3 draw against Portland. The dramatic goal would eventually be voted MLS Goal of the Week (Week 1). Shinyashiki subbed on in the 77th minute for Kellyn Acosta last Saturday.  The Brazilian was selected fifth overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft after four productive years at the University of Denver. Shinyashiki scored 51 goals and added 15 assists over his 83 appearances at the NCAA level.

Forward Niki Jacksonmakes the gameday roster for the third consecutive week. The forward provides depth and pace off the bench and subbed on in the 85th minute against Seattle for his 2019 debut. He enters his second season with the Rapids after being selected No. 73 overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The 23-year-old featured in 15 games in 2018, scoring three goals.

Colorado Rapids Injury Report