On Friday, November 12th the Colorado Rapids will host a Playoff Hub Launch Party at Number 38 in downtown Denver featuring a World Cup Qualifier USA versus Mexico watch party. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on Rapids midfielder and national team constant Kellyn Acosta while celebrating Colorado’s upcoming playoff run.
Friday’s matchup with Mexico will be the first time the two teams have met since the USMNT’s dramatic 1-0 victory to secure the Concacaf Gold Cup in August. The national team currently sits below Mexico in the WCQ standings with 11 points, compared to Mexico’s 14.
“Playing against Mexico is always a huge feat– great team, great players, and it's a battle to the end,” Acosta said. “Mexico probably has a sour taste in their mouths not beating us in the two [Gold Cup] games, but obviously World Cup Qualifiers are a different beast. Different things are at stake for all of us. For one, we’re under Mexico now so we’ve got to catch up to them and hopefully pass them, and two, try to separate ourselves from the rest of the pack. So it's a game of high stakes but it's a game we're all ready for.”
Acosta currently holds the most appearances for the national team in 2021, playing in 18 of the 19 games thus far. His 18 caps are the most appearances in a single year since DeAndre Yedlin and Gyasi Zardes played in 19 matches for the USMNT in 2015. With a cap in Friday's game, he can achieve the same record.
“When the World Cup’s in play, it's different,” Acosta said. “Each game matters. You do have opportunities to bounce back but each game, especially home games, are really important so for us to play Mexico at home it's a game that we need a result in.”
Playoff Hub Launch Party:
Number 38 - 3560 Chestnut Place, Denver, CO 80216
5:00-10:00 PM, USMNT vs Mexico kickoff at 7:10 PM
More details can be found here.
