COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids (1-3-6, 9 pts) go on the road to face the Los Angeles Galaxy (1-5-3, 6 pts) at Dignity Health Sports Park for Matchday 11 this Saturday, May 6 (8:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV – MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
The Rapids enter Saturday’s match on a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions following a scoreless draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday. Goalkeeper William Yarbrough set a new record for most shutouts in club history after recording his 30th career clean sheet against the Whitecaps, surpassing 2010 MLS Cup–winning goalkeeper Matt Pickens. The 34-year-old goalkeeper has 35 wins for the Rapids and is one away from surpassing Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in club history. Yarbrough recently passed Joe Cannon for the fourth-most appearances by a Rapids goalkeeper all-time and is currently seventh in MLS in total saves this season with 33.
Rapids forward Diego Rubio will be looking to add to various records of his own on Saturday. The Chilean international recently surpassed Marcelo Balboa for eight-most assists in Rapids history (24) and is one away from passing Adrian Paz for seventh most. Rubio now has 60 goal contributions (34 goals, 26 assists) in his career with Colorado and is one shy of tying Paul Bravo for the fourth most in club history. His next goal with the Rapids will tie John Spencer for fourth-most all-time.
The Galaxy hosts the Rapids after logging one win and four losses in their last five matches, including a 2-0 loss on the road to Orlando City SC last weekend. LA has seven different goal scorers in 2023, each with a single goal. Former FC Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig, who missed the match against Orlando due to yellow card accumulation, will make his return from suspension this weekend. At the deadline of the Primary Transfer Window last week, the Galaxy signed 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick Gino Vivi after acquiring an international roster spot from NYCFC. Colorado has won three of their last four matches on the road against the Galaxy—the 4-1 defeat in their last visit to Dignity Health Sports Park was the Rapids’ first loss to LA since 2017 (6-1-2).
Saturday’s match will see several familiar faces reunite. Rapids forward Kévin Cabral make his first return to LA since being acquired by Colorado from the Galaxy this past offseason. The Frenchman recorded six goals and five assists during his two seasons in Southern California. Rapids head coach Robin Fraser was selected by the LA Galaxy in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft with the fourth overall pick. Fraser would go on to make 129 regular-season appearances for Los Angeles from 1996-00. During his time in LA, Fraser was named to the league’s best XI four times (1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000) and was named MLS Defender of the Year in 1999 prior to being traded to Colorado ahead of the 2001 season.
On the home side, LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney, made nine starts for the Rapids in 2007, his lone season with the club after being acquired via trade with FC Dallas. Fraser and Vanney were teammates during their time at the Galaxy and later served as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, of Chivas USA between 2011-12. Fraser would then serve as Vanney’s assistant coach during the pair’s time on Toronto FC’s technical staff between 2015-19. Jovan Kirovski, the Galaxy’s technical director, was a member of the Rapids from 2005 to 2008, scoring 12 goals and delivering four assists over 61 regular-season appearances. Jason Bent, LA Galaxy assistant coach, made 51 appearances, scored two goals and delivered four assists for the Rapids from 1998-00. Cesar Roldan, LA Galaxy head athletic trainer, served as the head athletic trainer for the Rapids from 2016-18.
The Rapids’ visit to LA will kick off a run of five games in 15 days for the side in the month of May. Following their trip to Dignity Health Sports Park, the Rapids will return to California on Tuesday to face USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.
