Midfielder Kellyn Acostahas two goals and two assists in four games. Acosta received his first MLS Team of the Week (24) honors as a Rapid on August 13. The Plano, TX native notched consecutive goals in both of 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. He fired a laser into the bottom right corner of the goal from outside of the box in the 50th minute to tie the match 1-1 against the Galaxy, a match the Rapids would go on to win 2-1. Acosta kicked-off his Rapids career with a goal in the 82nd minute against D.C. United. The 23-year-old chipped a great ball over the goalkeeper and defender that ended up in the back of the net.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is in the Starting XI for a 17th time. Blomberg played all 90 minutes, logged 60 successful passes and led the team in tackles won (3) against the Galaxy on August 14. The Swede has featured 1,257 total minutes and has three assists.
Wingback Edgar Castillo scored this third wonder-goal this season in the 74th minute and set up Niki Jackson for an equalizer goal in the 82nd minute. The skillful defender has notched consecutive assists in each of the last three games. Castillo is second behind Jack Price with 1,402 touches this season. Two 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 co-led the Rapids in chances created (2) and had the second most touches with 95 on the road at LA Galaxy.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his 9th start for the Rapids. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes in the 2-2 last-minute road-draw versus LA Galaxy. Ford led the team with two crosses. He notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Week 20 against Houston Dynamo
Goalkeeper Tim Howard is four saves away from his best as a Rapid (84). He starts in goal for his 66th time since joining in 2016. Howard recorded three saves against the Galaxy. His performance against San Jose earned him his third MLS Team of the Week (24) selection of this season. The US Men's national team legend has 80 saves and four clean sheets in 2018. 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 McBeanset a new personal MLS career-high in appearances (19) and minutes (856) while playing against his former club LA Galaxy on August 14. The 23-year-old is one goal away from a career high in goals scored. He scored his second of the season 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 New York Red Bulls on May 12.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson played 63 minutes on the road at StubHub Center. He will once again partner up-top with Jack McBean. Nicholson scored his second goal in the 90th minute of play against the LA Galaxy 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 leads the team with 117 touches, 105 successful passes, and 11 good long balls against at LA Galaxy. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 22 times and played 1,960 minutes. He has one goal and four assists. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs PHI) this season. He leads the team with 1,606 touches in 2018.
Midfielder Dillon Serna is in the Starting XI for the second time this season. On Tuesday, he played his first full 90-minutes at the top of the Rapids diamond in the midfield. 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 11 times, one from the start, this season racking up 371 minutes.
Defender Tommy Smith has made 24 consecutive starts and recorded 2,160 minutes this season. Tommy opened up the scoreline and notched his third MLS goal at home against San Jose on August 11. He has 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.
Defender Danny Wilsonplayed in the centerback position against the Galaxy and recorded a team-high two intercepted passes. Wilson has recorded 1,485 minutes, seven shots and an assist in his first season with the Rapids. He’s featured 18 times for Colorado, 17 from the start. Wilson played five games in the midfield this season.
On the Bench:
Forward Giles Barnes is in the Rapids 18 for the first time since the road match at D.C. United. The London, England native will look to feature tonight in what could be his third game as a Rapid.
Midfielder Nana Boateng played 40 minutes on Tuesday on the road. He scored his first MLS goal against San Jose on August 11. The Accra, Ghana native scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute to give the Rapids their second-consecutive win at home.
Forward Yannick Boli is in tonight's 18. The Frenchman, has featured 14 times, seven from the start and has scored one goal.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi is on the bench tonight ahead of the LAFC match. Gashi has featured 14 times, three from the start, and logged 374 minutes. He has one goal and two assists.
Forward Niki Jackson scored his second goal of the season in the in the 82nd minute to give the Rapids an important road point against the Galaxy. The rookie forward has logged 138 minutes in six appearances and one goal (vs NE).
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.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the seventh 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.
