Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acosta will make his first league start for the Rapids since joining Colorado on July 23. Acosta joined the Rapids after spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with FC Dallas’ first team. He began his career as a member of the FC Dallas Development Academy. Acosta has made 17 USMNT senior appearances and scored his first international goal on July 1, 2017 in a 2-1 win over Ghana. He featured for 45 minutes for the Rapids during the international friendly against Boca Juniors this past Tuesday.
Forward Giles Barnes is set to start in his second match as a member of the Rapids. The London, England native featured for 52 minutes in his debut against his former team, the Houston Dynamo. Colorado acquired forward Giles Barnes on July 13, 2018 from Club León on a six-month deal with a club option for 2019.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg will face D.C. United for the first time in his MLS career tonight. This will be Blomberg's 14th start of the year. The Swede surpassed the 1,000 minute mark following the game against RSL and currently sits with 1,059 minutes. Blomberg co-leads the team (accompanied with Smith and Price) with three assists and is second overall with 36 total crosses in 2018.
Wingback Edgar Castillo shot the right footed strike that was coughed up by RSL’s Nick Rimando, which set up Dylan Serna for a shot that found the back of the net within the dying minutes of the match. He is one of two defenders (Smith) who have scored for the Rapids this season. Both of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for goals of the week (Week 14 and 17). He will start in his 19th game this season tonight.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 5th start in 2018. The Olathe, Kansas native played 85 minutes in the 2-2 tie away at RSL. He notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Week 20 against Houston Dynamo. Ford led the team with 79 touches last game.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for the 62nd time since joining the Rapids in 2016. Howard recorded four saves during the Rocky Mountain Cup game at RSL. The US men's national team legend has 65 saves and four clean sheets this season. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4 and during Week 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson makes his 14th consecutive start tonight since joining Colorado from Minnesota back on May 2. Tonight’s game will be Nicholson’s second-ever match against D.C. United and his first as a player for the Rapids. He leads the team with 44 crosses. He’s one of eight players to top the 1,000 minute mark this season with 1,115. Nicholson scored his first-ever goal with the Rapids on July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle.
Midfielder Jack Price was subbed in the 80th minute for Nana Boateng against RSL. This marked the first time Price has not played all 90 minutes in a match he’s started this season. He led the Rapids with four intercepted passes during the Rocky Mountain Cup match against RSL last weekend. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 18 times and played 1,600 minutes. He has one goal and three assist. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season. Price leads the team with 1,216 total touches in 2018.
Defender Axel Sjöberg starts in his 10th contest this season. He led the Rapids with 42 successful passes and came in second with 54 touches just one behind Tommy Smith’s 55 against RSL. The Stockholm, Sweden native has played 855 minutes in 11 appearances this season. He’s in his fourth season with Colorado after being acquired as the 14th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Defender Tommy Smith is the only Rapids player to have started in every game (20) this season. He has notched two goals, one of which was a game-winning goal, three assists, and 22 shots in 2018. He’s been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 17 and 18).
Danny Wilson has topped the 1,000th minute mark this season with 1,305. He logged 37 successful passes, 47 touches and three intercepted passes against RSL. Wilson will feature in the midfield for a fifth time this season alongside Jack Price. The six-foot-two defender will start in his 16th game for the Rapids since being acquired from Rangers F.C. on January 29.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Nana Boateng is in the Rapids 18 tonight after coming on for 20 minutes at RSL. The Accra, Ghana native has featured 10 times, seven from the start, in 603 minutes.
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 enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Forward Niki Jackson returns to the Rapids 18 for the first time since April 7. The rookie forward has logged 64 minutes in three appearances and one goal (vs. NE).
Midfielder Enzo Martinez subbed on in the 24th minute in the thrilling 2-2 tie against RSL. The Montevideo, Uruguay native will look to come off the bench for a sixth time this season if his name is called upon.
Striker Jack McBeanwill be making start from the bench for the 15th time this season. 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 614 minutes for the Rapids in 2018. The 23-year-old will look to score his third league goal, which will be an all-time high.
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 eight times this season racking up 192 minutes.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the third time this season. The versatile defender has played 1,620 minutes and logged a Week 5 MLS Team of the Week selection in 2018. The Rapids acquired Wynne from Vancouver last December. He’s made 18 appearances for Colorado, all from the start.
