Starting XI:
Midfielder Kellyn Acostacontinues to impress with yet another top performance which led to his first MLS Team of the Week honors as a Rapid. The Plano, TX native notched consecutive goals in both of his first two league starts. Against San Jose, Acosta logged two assists, one of which was a perfectly-delivered ball to Tommy Smith to open the scoreline. Acosta kicked-off his Rapids career with a goal in the 82nd minute against D.C. United.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is in the Starting XI for a 16th time. Blomberg played 45 minutes, logged 42 successful passes and co-led the team with three chances created against the Galaxy on August 4. The Swede has featured 1,167 total minutes and has three assists.
Wingback Edgar Castillo has notched consecutive assists in the last two games. The skillful defender recorded 46 passes and had a passing accuracy of 89.1% last Saturday. Castillo is second behind Jack Price with 1,307 touches this season. Both of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week (Week 14 and 17). The Las Cruces, NM native is one of two defenders (Smith) who have scored for the Rapids this season. He will start for the 22nd time this season.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 8th start this season. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes in the 2-1 last-minute home-win versus San Jose. The young defender once again played as a centerback for the injured Axel Sjöberg. He notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Week 20 against Houston Dynamo. Ford had 83 total touches over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for his 65th time since joining the Rapids in 2016. Howard recorded five saves against San Jose. Howard’s performance over the weekend earned him his third MLS Team of the Week (24) selection of the season. The US men's national team legend has 77 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.
Striker Jack McBeanreturns home to his former club, the LA Galaxy, for the first time since his departure on December 14, 2017. The 23-year-old is one goal away from a personal career 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 777 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson looks to score his third goal this season, as he once again partners up-top with Jack McBean. Tonight’s game will be Nicholson’s second-ever match against the Galaxy. Nicholson scored his second goal in the 90th minute of play on August 4. His first goal with the Rapids was back on July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle.
Midfielder Jack Price co-led the team with 111 touches against San Jose. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 21 times and played 1,870 minutes. He has one goal and four assist. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season. He leads the team with 1,489 touches in 2018.
Midfielder Dillon Serna is in the Starting XI for the first time this season. Last weekend, he came on in the 28th minute to play at the top of the Rapids’ midfield diamond formation. He 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 10 times this season racking up 281 minutes.
Defender Tommy Smith surpassed the 2,000 minute mark last weekend with 2,070 – he’s the only Rapid to do so up to this point. Tommy opened up the scoreline and notched his third MLS goal at home against San Jose on August 11. 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 (23).
Defender Danny Wilsonreturns to the centerback position for the first time since July 1. He has featured in the midfield five times this season. Wilson has recorded 1,395 minutes, seven shots and an assist in his first season with the Rapids. He has featured 17 times for Colorado, all from the start.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Nana Boateng scored his first MLS goal against San Jose. The Accra, Ghana native scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute to give the Rapids their second-consecutive win. Boateng led the team with four chances created.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi is on the bench tonight ahead of the Galaxy match. Gashi has scored twelve goals and has featured for a combined 214 minutes against the Galaxy since coming to MLS in 2016.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston will look to make his ninth appearance of the season. Hairston recorded two created chances, 66 touches and 53 passes against the Earthquakes. His first and only goal against the Galaxy was in 2016.
Forward Niki Jackson is in the Rapids 18 for the third-consecutive week. The rookie forward has logged 111 minutes in six appearances and one goal (vs New England). He subbed on in the 73rd minute against the Earthquakes.
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.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez can come off the bench tonight to notch his 19th appearance of 2018. The Uruguayan has featured 18 times for the Rapids with 13 of those coming from the start. Enzo has notched two assists and has played for 1,229 minutes.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the sixth 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.
