Starting XI
Striker Dominique Badji, who has scored four goals in just three games and is coming off a hat trick against Philadelphia, enters his fourth season after being drafted by the Rapids in 2015. Lead the club in goals (9) during the 2017 campaign. Badji has 21 goals in 5,187 minutes of play for the Rapids - firing 129 shots over that time.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is making his fourth consecutive Major League Soccer start after his signing was announced on November 21 from AIK Fotbollof Sweden's top-flight. The Lund, Sweden, native scored nine times in 78 appearances for AIK. Blomberg is coming into this game with two assists, one shot and 238 played minutes.
Midfielder Nana Boateng, who is making his first start of the 2018 MLS season, enters his second season with the club after signing from Manchester City of the English Premier League. Nana featured in 18 games last season and recently returned to the squad from Ghana where he was getting his green card paperwork processed.
Wingback Edgar Castillo, who will make his fourth consecutive start for the Rapids, enters his first season with the club after being acquired on January 9, 2018 via a one-year loan from Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey. Castillo is one of only two players to have featured on the international stage for both the United States and Mexico. The wingback has played 270 minutes in three appearances and has one assist this season.
Wingback Kip Colvey is making his first appearance of the season after being picked third overall in the 2017 MLS Waiver Draft on December 13, 2017. Colvey featured in four of six 2018 World Cup qualification matches for New Zealand against Fiji, Solomon Islands and Peru in 2017.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was named in the MLS Team of the Week after his seven saves in Week 4, enters his third season in the burgundy and blue 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. In eight Major League Soccer seasons - Howard also played for the New Jersey Metrostars from 1998-2003 - he's notched 27 shutouts. Howard was the 2017 Rapids Player of the Year.
Striker Joe Mason, who scored during his MLS debut on March 24, enters his first season with the club after being acquired from Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on February 19, 2018. During his time in the English Championship, Mason found the back of the net on 42 occasions, averaging a goal in every 2.88 games. Mason is making his third consecutive start, has played 143 minutes and has one goal.
Midfielder Jack Price, who will be making his fourth consecutive start in the center of the field for the Rapids, joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers using Targeted Allocation Money on January 9, 2018. Price appeared 97 times for Wolves and has been impressive for the Rapids in midfield.
Defender Axel Sjöberg is making his first start for the Rapids in 2018 and is entering his fourth season with the club after being selected 13th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Sjöberg has made 64 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
Defender Tommy Smith makes his fourth Major League Soccer start since joining the club from Ipswich Town of the English Championship on January 22, 2018. The New Zealand international featured for his country at the 2010 World Cup and last summer's Confederations Cup in Russia
Defender Deklan Wynne who is coming off being named to the MLS Team for his performance against Philadelphia, will make his fourth consecutive Major League Soccer start on Saturday after joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on December 21, 2017. A versatile defender, Wynne played internationally with New Zealand under Anthony Hudson and started all four matches of his country's trip to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
On the Bench
Midfielder Micheal 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 (2,569). The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Striker Niki Jackson, who scored on his MLS debut on March 10th, enters his rookie season after being selected in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and signed on February 20, 2018. The Memphis, Tennessee native enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in 2017, notching 16 goals en route to Offensive Player of Year honors in the Western Athletic Conference. Jackson's goal tally was among the top three nationally.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath enters his eighth season in Major League Soccer, fourth in Colorado. In 2017, MacMath featured in nine MLS games. Over the course of his career, MacMath has managed an impressive 36 shutouts in 132 games played - eight of those coming while playing for the burgundy and blue.
Striker Jack McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He featured in 18 games and scored two goals during the 2017 campaign. McBean started both legs of the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League tie with Toronto FC.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez is making his fourth straight appearance in the 18 after being acquired from the Charlotte Independence on January 19, 2018. A two-time USL MVP finalist and member of the 2012 Generation Adidas class, Martinez impressed over the course of two legs versus Toronto FC, showing the type of work rate and intensity that is sure to endear himself to Rapids faithful.
Midfielder Sam Hamilton appears on the bench for the first time this season. The Colorado native joined the Rapids on March 4, 2017 as the 15th overall draft pick in the 2017 MLS Superdraft.
Midfielder Dillon Serna, a homegrown product from Brighton, Colorado, enters his sixth season with the club. Serna has made 71 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals in 3,541 minutes.
