COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids (2-6-6, 12 pts) face off against Supporters’ Shield-leading FC Cincinnati (9-1-3, 30 pts) at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this Saturday, May 27 for Matchday 15 (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV – MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
Last Saturday, the Rapids recorded their third-straight loss in MLS play after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Real Salt Lake in the first of three Rocky Mountain Cup clashes in 2023. Defender Danny Wilson netted his first goal of the season off a Connor Ronan free kick, while tacking on an assist later in the match to mark the first game of his career with a goal and assist. Defender Lalas Abubakar looked to spark a comeback with his second goal of the season, which marked his third consecutive match with a goal against RSL after scoring both equalizers in the Rapids’ two draws against the Utah side last season.
Midfielder Connor Ronan recorded his second multi-assist game of the season after assisting both Wilson’s and Abubakar’s goals against RSL. His two assists on Saturday bring his season total to six, which is currently tied for third-highest in the league. The mark also ties him for the second-most all-time by any Rapids player in MLS through their first 15 games in the league. The Irish midfielder achieved a three-assist game earlier in the season against the LA Galaxy, which was the first three-assist game by a Rapids player since Jack Price in 2019. With the two assists against RSL, Ronan has contributed to each of the Rapids’ last six MLS goals (one goal, five assists), which ties Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar for most goal contributions in the month of May (six).
The Orange & Blue arrive in Colorado currently leading the Supporters’ Shield race with 30 points at the top of the MLS standings. The club has nine wins, two more than any other club, and are buoyed by a stout defense and goalkeeping that has recorded six clean sheets this season, tied for second-most in MLS. After three years at the bottom of the Eastern Conference from 2019-21, Cincinnati began their ascension in the standings last season, making their first MLS playoff appearance after finishing fifth in the conference. This season, the club looks to build on top of that, and midfielder Luciano Acosta is playing a steady head in the efforts. Acosta leads the team with five goals scored and has scored in three consecutive matches. He also adds three assists, second-most on the team. The Rapids, however, are one of eight teams FC Cincinnati has yet to beat in their history.
Saturday night’s match will also be the Rapids’ Mental Health Awareness Night as a part of the club’s initiative to bring awareness Colorado’s mental health issues and help destigmatize the topic. The night will feature various fan-facing activations in partnership with local nonprofits, such as Mental Health Colorado, Go4Graham and Denver Park Trust, and will see the Rapids wear the club’s New Day Kit, which promotes mental health awareness, for the first time at home. Local artist Pat Milbery, who helped the design the New Day Kit and painted one of the stadium’s murals, will also be at the game to interact with fans.
