Starting XI
Midfielder Micheal Azirais making his second start of the season for the Rapids. He made his first start of the season back on May 12 against NYCFC. Azira enters his third season with the club, and his fifth in Major League Soccer. In 2017, he finished with a career high in minutes for a single season with 2,569. The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Striker Dominique Badji is making his 12th start for the Rapids this season. Badji leads the Rapids with five goals. Earlier this season the striker scored his first-ever MLS hat trick against Philadelphia on March 21. He enters his fourth MLS season after being drafted by the Rapids in 2015.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is starting for a second-consecutive time since coming off injury last weekend against Vancouver. Blomberg missed five consecutive games due to a knee injury that occurred against Real Salt Lake back on April 21. He has played a total of 508 minutes in six starts this season.
Wingback Marlon Hairston is in the Rapids Starting XI for the first time since getting injured back on March 31 against the Philadelphia Union. The Jackson, Mississippi native has missed most of this season after undergoing knee surgery in early April. Hairston has made three starts this season and has played a total of 240 minutes.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath is starting in goal for the Rapids for a second time this season. MacMath’s first start of the season was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez played 70 minutes against Vancouver last weekend. Martinez has played a total of 867 minutes with 573 touches and one assist this season.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson is making his sixth consecutive start since joining Colorado back on May 2. Before joining the Rapids, Nicholson featured in all eight games for MNUFC this MLS season, picking up a goal and an assist in 526 minutes. He was named Man on the Match for his performance against New York Red Bulls back on May 12. Nicholson had a team high 11 crosses last weekend against Vancouver.
Midfielder Jack Price is making his 112th start of the season for the Rapids. He led the Rapids last weekend in successful passes (55), good long balls (19) and in chances created (3) against Vancouver.
Wingback Dillon Serna came on in the 62nd minute against Vancouver for Johan Blomberg. The Homegrown product from Brighton, Colorado, enters his sixth season with the club. Serna has made 6 appearances and played a total of 159 minutes this season.
Defender Tommy Smith is in the Starting XI for the 13th time this season. Smith has played every minute (1080) this season. He’s notched two assists, 13 shots and 571 touches in 2018.
Defender Deklan Wynne will make his 13th consecutive start after joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on December 21, 2017. Wynne recorded 41 successful passes last weekend against Vancouver, which ranked as the second best on the night behind Price's 55 and led the team with three interceptions.
On the Bench:
Wingback Nana Boatengappears in the Rapids' 18 for today’s game. This season Boateng has appeared in seven matches, six from the start, and has played a total of 501 minutes.
Wingback Kip Colvey is in the Rapids' 18 for today’s game. Colvey has made two Starting XI appearances this season since being picked third overall in the 2017 MLS Waiver Draft on December 13, 2017. Colvey featured in four of six 2018 World Cup qualification matches for New Zealand against Fiji, Solomon Islands and Peru in 2017.
Midfielder Sam Hamilton appears on the bench for today’s matchup against Nashville SC. The Denver native joined the Rapids on March 4, 2017 as the 15th overall draft pick in the 2017 MLS Superdraft.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard enters his third season in burgundy on the heels of a 2017 campaign that saw the United States Men's National Team legend feature in 25 matches - all from the start. Howard has 30 saves and two clean sheets this season.
Striker Jack McBean scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He’s played a total of 248 minutes for the Rapids this season and has eight shots.
Injury Report:
- Castillo – Out
- Ford – Day to Day
- Gashi – Day to Day
- Sjöberg – Out
- Wilson – Out
