The Colorado Rapids go on the road to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place for Matchday 10 this Saturday, April 29 (8:30 p.m. MT; Altitude Sports Radio AM950).Â
The Rapids head to Canada looking to add to a six-game unbeaten streak across all competitions (2-0-4), including a midweek, 3-1 win against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Forward Jonathan Lewis scored two goals and delivered an assist against Hailstorm, his first brace since 2021. The Rapids have scored at least one goal in four consecutive matches, including two stoppage-time equalizing goals.Â
That result followed a 1-1 draw in league play over the weekend against Western Conference leaders St. Louis CITY SC. Rapids forward Diego Rubio assisted on the late-game, stoppage-time equalizer, which marked his 24th assist for the Rapids and surpassed Marcelo Balboa for eighth-most assists in club history. The Chilean international is now one assist away from surpassing Adrian Paz for seventh-most assists in Rapids history. 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. The Chilean also needs one assist to join Omar Cummings (39 goals, 27 assists) as the only players in club history with at least 35 goals and 25 assists.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will host the Rapids on a six-game unbeaten streak of their own, albeit all in league play. The Caps are tied for third in MLS for the least number of goals allowed with seven and have recorded clean sheets in their last three regular-season games. The Canadian club has not conceded a goal in 320 minutes of MLS play, the fourth-longest shutout streak this season. This will be the first of two regular-season encounters between Colorado and Vancouver in 2023; both won their respective home matches last year, with the Caps winning at BC Place 2-1. Whitecaps forward Simon Becher leads the team with three goals scored, while midfielder Julian Gressel is tied for sixth-most assists in MLS with four. At the deadline of the Primary Transfer Window this week, forward Cristian Dájome was traded from the Whitecaps to D.C. United.
Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough is close to setting a new record for most shutouts in club history. He is one away from tying the all-time club record of 30 clean sheets set by 2010 MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper Matt Pickens after Yarbrough logged his 29th in a 1-0 win against Sporting Kansas City. The two-time Liga MX champion recently passed Joe Cannon for the fourth-most appearances by a goalkeeper in club history. His 35 wins in Burgundy put him one away from surpassing Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in the club’s history.
