Starting XI:
Goalkeeper Tim Howard enters his third season in the burgundy and blue 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. In eight Major League Soccer seasons - Howard also played for the New Jersey Metrostars from 1998-2003 - he's notched 27 shutouts. Howard was the 2017 Rapids Player of the Year.
Defender Deklan Wynne is set to make his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday after joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps on December 21, 2017. A versatile defender, Wynne played internationally with New Zealand under Rapids Head Coach Anthony Hudson and started all four matches of his country's trip to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Defender Danny Wilson will also be making his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday after joining the club from Rangers FC of the Scottish Premier League. The 26-year-old comes to MLS in the prime of his career after stints with Hearts and Liverpool, as well as 31 caps for the Scottish National Team (at all levels).
Defender Tommy Smith makes his Major League Soccer debut on Saturday in New England after joining the club from Ipswich Town of the English Championship on January 22, 2018. The New Zealand international featured for his country at the 2010 World Cup and last summer's Confederations Cup in Russia.
Wingback Edgar Castillo enters his first season with the club after being acquired on January 9, 2018 via a one-year loan from Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey. Castillo is one of only two players to have featured on the international stage for both the United States and Mexico.
Wingback Marlon Hairston returns to the Starting XI following a 2017 campaign in which he was the only Rapids player to feature in all 34 MLS games. Dynamic in the attack, Hairston's 2017 performances earned the Mississippi native his first call up to the United States Men's National Team in January.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg is another Rapid making his Major League Soccer debut after his signing was announced on November 21 from AIK Fotboll of Sweden's top-flight. The Lund, Sweden, native scored nine times in 78 appearances for AIK.
Midfielder Jack Price joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers using Targeted Allocation Money on January 9, 2018. Price appeared 97 times for Wolves and was impressive for the Rapids over both legs of their Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match-ups with Toronto FC.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez enters his first campaign with the club after being acquired from the Charlotte Independence on January 19, 2018. A two-time USL MVP finalist and member of the 2012 Generation Adidas class, Martinez also impressed over the course of two legs versus Toronto showing the type of work rate and intensity that is sure to endear himself to Rapids faithful.
Striker Jack McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He featured in 18 games and scored two goals during the 2017 campaign. McBean started both legs of the Rapids' Scotiabank Champions League match-ups with Toronto FC.
Striker Dominique Badji enters his fourth season after being drafted by the Rapids in 2015. Lead the club in goals (9) during the 2017 campaign. Badji has 17 goals in 4,923 minutes of play for the Rapids - firing 121 shots over that time.
On the Bench:
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath enters his eighth in Major League Soccer, fourth in Colorado. In 2017, MacMath featured in nine MLS games. Over the course of his career, MacMath has managed an impressive 36 shutouts in 132 games played - eight of those coming while in the burgundy and blue.
Defender Eric Miller Enters his third season with the Colorado Rapids, and fifth in Major League Soccer. In 2017, the Rapids' Defensive Player of the Year started 30 matches and played over 2,600 minutes. He was named the Rapids 2017 Defender of the Year.
Striker Joe Mason enters his first season with the club after being acquired from Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on February 19, 2018. Mason recently acquired his P-1 visa and joined his new teammates in New England for the first time. During his time in the English Championship, Mason found the back of the net on 42 occasions, averaging a goal in every 2.88 games.
Midfielder Dillon Serna, a homegrown product from Brighton, Colorado, enters his sixth season with the club. Serna has made 71 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals in 3,541 minutes.
Midfielder Nana Boateng enters his second season with the club after signing from Manchester City of the English Premier League. Nana featured in 18 games last season and recently returned to squad from Ghana where he was getting his green card paperwork processed.
Midfielder Micheal 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 (2,569). The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Striker Niki Jackson enters his rookie season after being selected in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and signed on February 20, 2018. The Memphis, Tennessee native enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in 2017, notching 16 goals en route to Offensive Player of Year honors in the Western Athletic Conference. Jackson's goal tally was among the top three nationally.
Injury Report:
- Ford (Sprained MCL, 8-10 weeks)
- Gashi (Calf strain, day-to-day)
- Aigner (Calf tightness, day-to-day)
- Colvey (Quad strain, day-to-day)
- Sjöberg (Flu, day-to-day, suspended for match)
