Tonight, the Rapids are in Los Angeles to take on LAFC for the first time since Decision Day 2019. The Rapids are looking for their fourth straight victory, while LAFC looks to snap a two-game losing streak. Follow the Live Blog below for play-by-play coverage beginning at 8:30 PM.
Starting Lineups
Lalas Abubakar returns to the starting lineup for the first time this year. The Rapids are playing in a new formation, with three in the backline in Abubakar, Danny Wilson and Auston Trusty, and Sam Vines and Keegan Rosenberry playing in wingback roles on the left and right side, respectively.
Starting XI: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Sam Vines, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Michael Barrios, Diego Rubio
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Andre Shinyashiki, Nicolas Benezet, Nicolás Mezquida, Kortne Ford, Oliver Larraz, Collen Warner
For the opposition, LAFC will have 2020 Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi and 2019 Golden Boot winner Carlos Vela in the starting lineup for the first time this year.
1' - Aaaaand we're off!
7' - LAFC is coming out fighting early on. So far this season, LAFC only has five goals through five games. The previous two seasons, the club had 15 goals through five games. The Rapids are handling the pressure well but have yet to have meaningful possession early on.
9' - Yarbrough makes a great save. The play was eventually ruled offside, but Yarbrough did a good job assessing the play and coming out to shut down the angle to make the save.
11' - Rubio is fouled about 35 yards out, but the attack on Price's freekick is offside.
14' - GOAL - LAFC breaks through. Diego Rossi splits Wilson and Rosenberry, and the Rapids concede their first road goal of 2021. LAFC up 1-0.
18' - Acosta plays it back from around midfield to Trusty, who plays a nice long ball down the left side to Rubio. Rubio isn't able to connect from there, but it was definitely a step in the right direction as Colorado finds their rhythm on offense.
19' - Another good play by Trusty there. He is one-on-one with Baird from LAFC in the middle of the box, and he confidently handles the cross headed his way and clears.
30' - The Rapids with their best chance of the game so far. From the right flank, Rubio crosses in a ball for Barrios, who slides in a first-time shot that is just wide to the right. He was marked tight, but Barrios was almost able to sneak it in right inside the post. Since LAFC's goal, the Rapids are definitely seeming to find their game a bit more, getting more time on the ball and minimizing LAFC's quick counters.
33' - GOAL - Rossi finds the back of the net once again, this time with a pass from Vela. LAFC leads 2-0.
39' - Price on the corner kick, plays an outswinger that finds the head of Rubio, but his header goes just wide. The Rapids seem to have settled back down since the last LAFC goal.
43' - The Rapids are definitely favoring the left side of the field when they transition into the attack, largely targeting Vines in the wing back position. He has been impressive with the ball at his feet so far in the half.
44' - Back-to-back quality plays for the defenders on the left side of the field. First, Trusty steps up past midfield to win a hard tackle that keeps the offensive play alive. Next, with Trusty pressing up, Vines recovers and takes on Vela one-on-one. He confidently shuts down Vela's space and blocks his strike. Great plays by both Vines and Trusty.
46' - And we're back!
50' - GOAL - Rubio plays it through to Barrios, who is calm, cool and collected and nutmegs the goalkeeper on his way to launching the Rapids comeback. The goal marks Barrios first since joining the Rapids this offseason. LAFC: 2, Rapids: 1.
54' - The stadium is noticeably quieter in LA as the Rapids have all the momentum following their early second half goal. Don't forget, the Rapids have mounted a three-goal second half comeback already this season against Minnesota United FC.
59' - As this is the most minutes Vela has played so far in 2021, he's the first substitute for LAFC. Vines vs. Vela was fun to watch, as the final matchup between the two of them finishes with Vela controlling the ball down the line and into the middle of the pitch, but Vines gets the last laugh as he breaks up the final pass.
61' - Rubio gets an arm to the face that leaves him bleeding from his mouth. He continues to be very visibly displeased as the two teams have words and the ref mediates.
63' - SUBSTITUTION - Jonathan Lewis enters the game in hopes of opening his 2021 account and leveling the score. He replaces Barrios.
69' - Abubakar steps up and dismantles an LAFC attack. Abubakar and Rosenberry appear much more comfortable exchanging men and playing, at times, side-by-side in this second half.
73' - SUBSTITUTION - Andre Shinyashiki replaces Abubakar, and the Rapids rearrange their formation in favor of the 4-3-3 that they have traditionally played this season.
79' - Price is doing a good job quarterbacking the midfield, easily shaking off pressure from the likes of Rossi, but the Rapids aren't able to get lead the possession into pressure in the final third quite yet.
80' - SUBSTITUTION - Nicolas Benezet replaces Bassett for some late-game energy.
83' - Trusty goes toe-to-toe with Rossi and once again confidently handles the dangerous challenge just north of the goal. Trusty has been arguably the best player on the field for the Rapids tonight.
87' - The Rapids almost get it done, but it goes just wide. Colorado has a lot of momentum, connecting down the field with quick one-two passes, finishing with a cross from Vines that finds Rosenberry, who hits Shinyashiki, whose strike goes wide right. The Rapids have been the dominant team in the second half, it will just be a matter of if they have enough time to find their equalizer.
90' + 1' - Price with an outswinger that perfectly finds the head of Rubio, but it sails just over the goal.
90' + 3' - Acosta has shown hustle all game long on both sides of the ball. Tomorrow, he departs for USMNT training camp for a friendly against Switzerland, so he will miss the Rapids next match against FC Dallas.
