LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids | Roster Notes | May 19, 2019

Starting XI:

Team captain Tim Howard will make his 12th consecutive start of the 2019 season on the road against LA. In January, the New Jersey native announced that 2019 will be his final season in his storied career. Howard was 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 86 games, boasting 18 shutouts and recording 286 saves. One of Howard's most memorable moments with the Rapids came against the LA Galaxy when he made two saves in the penalty shootout of the 2016 Western Conference Semifinal second leg, denying Ashley Cole and Jeff Larentowicz, as the Rapids triumphed over the LA Galaxy at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.

Defender Keegan Rosenberry will make his 12th consecutive start tonight against the Galaxy. The Pennsylvania native is one of three players that has played every minute of the 2019 season so far. Before joining the Rapids, Rosenberry spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Union, scoring three goals and six assists. One of those goals came during Rosenberry's only career appearance against the LA Galaxy in 2016.

Defender Lalas Abubakarwent the full 90 during his first appearance for the Burgundy and Blue last Saturday against Real Salt Lake. The Ghanaian joined the Colorado Rapids on May 8 on loan from Columbus Crew SC where he appeared in 31 games since 2017.

Defender Tommy Smith returns to the starting lineup tonight against LA. The 29-year-old has featured in five games in 2019, scoring one goal and adding an assist. Smith is in his second season with the Rapids after his previous stint with Ipswich Town.

Defender Deklan Wynne will make his fourth consecutive start tonight. This will be Wynne's first-ever regular season appearance against the LA Galaxy. The 24-year-old is currently in his second season in Colorado after making 25 regular season appearances with the Rapids in 2018, 22 from the start. 

Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett has appeared in seven games so far this season and was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 6) after his performance on April 6 against Orlando City SC which saw the 17-year-old score a goal and record an assist. Bassett is in his second season with the Rapids after featuring in six regular season games with the club in 2018. Tonight will mark Bassett's first-ever regular season appearance against the LA Galaxy.

Midfielder Jack Pricewill make his tenth start of the season tonight. The Englishman is currently in his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous seven years with Wolverhampton Wanders FC. Tonight will mark Price's third career appearance against the Galaxy.

Midfielder Kellyn Acostawill make his 12th appearance of the 2019 season tonight in LA after opening his 2019 account last Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Overall, the 23-year-old has 12 goals and 17 assists in his MLS career, including two goals and one assist against the Galaxy. The US international joined the Rapids midway through the 2018 season from his hometown club FC Dallas. 

Midfielder Sam Nicholsonearns his second consecutive start after an impactful 90 minutes last Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Nicholson is in his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous two with Minnesota United FC. The winger found the back of the net twice in 19 appearances in 2018, including his 90th minute go-ahead goal against the LA Galaxy on on August 4.

Forward Jonathan Lewismade his first appearance with the Rapids last Saturday against Real Salt Lake. The USMNT forward joined the Colorado Rapids on May 7 from NYCFC where he featured in 31 games over three seasons, scoring three goals and five assists, including one goal against the LA Galaxy in 2017. Lewis was called up into the United States national team’s January camp this year under Gregg Berhalter. It didn’t take long for Lewis to make his mark with the Stars and Stripes as he provided two assists during friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica. Overall, Lewis has four caps to his name with the men’s national team. 

Forward Kei Kamarawill make his 12th consecutive start for the club tonight after spending 2018 with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The MLS veteran currently holds the fifth spot on the all-time goals list in MLS with 119, two of which were against the Galaxy. Kamara has added 44 career assists to his goal total in over 24,000 minutes of regular season play. Kamara has played every minute of the 2019 campaign.

On the Bench:

Goalkeeper Clint Irwinwill serve as the backup to Tim Howard tonight. Irwin rejoined the Rapids after spending three seasons with Toronto FC. The goalkeeper has appeared in 121 regular season games over his six-year MLS career, recording 33 shutouts, four of which were against RSL. 

Danny Wilsonwill start tonight on the bench after opening his MLS account last Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Wilson is in his second season with the club, featuring in 23 games in 2018.

Homegrown Sam Vines returns to the gameday roster after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined last weekend against Real Salt Lake. The 19-year-old has featured in four games in 2019. If Vines appears in the match tonight, it will be his first-ever regular season appearance against the LA Galaxy.

Homegrown defender Sebastian Anderson starts tonight on the bench after putting in an 83-minute shift last Saturday against RSL. Anderson became the youngest Rapids player to make his MLS debut at 16 years and 262 days old against Atlanta United FC on April 27. He also became the youngest player to sign with the club when he inked his Homegrown contract on April 3. Anderson has made three appearances with the Rapids so far this season.

Midfielder Nicolás Mezquidaappears on the gameday roster as a creative option off the bench. The 27-year-old scored his first goal of 2019 on April 6 in the 61st minute against Orlando City SC. Since arriving in MLS, Mezquida has scored 13 goals and added five assists in over 5,000 minutes of regular season play.

Homegrown midfielder Dillon Serna will start tonight on the bench. This is Serna's seventh season with the club after signing on January 14, 2013. The 25-year-old has scored nine goals, one of which came in 2017 against the LA Galaxy. Serna became the first Homegrown to reach 100 regular season appearances for the club on April 27 against Atlanta United FC. 

Forward Andre Shinyashikiprovides a goal-scoring option off the bench.The 21-year-old has featured in nine games in 2019, scoring the dramatic stoppage-time equalizer in the 3-3 draw against Portland on March 2, which would eventually be voted MLS Goal of the Week (Week 1). The rookie was selected fifth overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft after four productive years at the University of Denver where he scored 51 goals and added 15 assists over 83 appearances at the NCAA level.

Colorado Rapids Injury Report