KEEPING CLEAN IN KC
The Rapids (0-3-3) visit Sporting Kansas City (0-3-3) this weekend looking to build momentum after recording their second clean sheet of the season against the defending MLS Cup Champions, LAFC, on Saturday. SKC will be the first opponent the Rapids faced twice this year. In their earlier matchup, Colorado had two goals disallowed early, but secured a clean sheet a point. The result marked the second consecutive year that the Rapids kept a clean sheet during a home opener. Additionally, Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough recorded 11 saves in the shutout, becoming the first player in club history to do so.
CENTENNIAL COACH
Saturday will mark Robin Fraser’s 100th regular season game as Rapids head coach. Since his first game at the helm on August 31, 2019, Fraser has accumulated the seventh-most points in MLS (150 pts; 41-31-27).
HISTORIC YARBROUGH
Yarbrough is just one shutout away from matching the club’s all-time record, which is currently held by 2010 MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper Matt Pickens (29). With his appearance last weekend against LAFC, Yarbrough recorded his 87th appearance for Colorado, which surpassed Joe Cannon for the fourth-most appearances by a goalkeeper in Rapids history. The two-time Liga MX winner has also recorded 34 wins with the Rapids, one away from tying Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in club history. Yarbrough heads into this weekend’s game with the fourth-most saves in MLS this season (22).
RAMPANT RUBIO
Rapids forward Diego Rubio made his first start of the season in the Rapids’ draw to LAFC on Saturday, his first start since returning from arthroscopic surgery in late February. It marked Rubio’s 100th regular-season appearance as a member of the Rapids, becoming the fourth forward in club history to achieve this feat. The Chilean forward enjoyed a career year in 2022, in which he equaled the Rapids’ all-time, single-season scoring record (16 goals) and set a new record for most goal contributions in a season in club history (16 goals, 7 assists). Rubio currently holds the most game-winning goals in club history with 13 and is currently fifth in club history with 34 regular season goals scored all-time. Rubio has also delivered 22 assists as a member of the Rapids, one away from tying Marcelo Balboa for eight-most in club history.
SEASON 8: EPISODE 200 – “KEEGAN ROSENBERRY”
Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry made his 200th MLS regular-season appearance last weekend against LAFC, reaching 10,481 minutes all-time as a member of the Rapids and surpassing Omar Cummings for seventh-most in club history. Rosenberry is currently eighth in club history with 118 starts in the regular-season, one away from tying Paul Bravo for seventh-most.
FAMILIAR FACES
Rubio is set to face his former club when the Rapids take on Kansas City on Saturday. The Chilean international was a member of Sporting KC from 2016-2018, recording 15 goals and eight assists across 51 appearances and 2,121 minutes. He earned his first MLS start on April 13, 2016, against his current club, the Rapids.
Other familiar faces in Wednesday’s matchup include:
- SKC defender Kortne Ford - 35 appearances,1 goal, 2,868 minutes as a member of the Rapids (2017-2021)
- SKC Manager and Sporting Director Peter Vermes - 89 appearances for the Rapids (1997-1999), 8 goals, 11 assists, 7,761 min
