COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids (2-9-7, 13 pts) return home to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5-5-7, 22 pts) at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this Wednesday, June 21, for Matchday 20 (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV – MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
Wednesday’s encounter will kick off a home stand that will see the Rapids play five of their next six matches at home. After a bye week due to the international window, Colorado will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat on the road to Orlando City SC on June 10, a match that saw the Burgundy Boys reduced to nine-man after winger Braian Galván and defender Lalas Abubakar were sent off on either side of halftime. The duo will be unavailable for Wednesday’s clash, along with midfielder Bryan Acosta who is with the Honduran national team ahead of their 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup run.
Midfielder Connor Ronan currently leads the Rapids with seven goal contributions on the season (one goal, six assists). The Irish international has played a pivotal role in helping cover the void left by club captain Jack Price who suffered torn Achilles early in March and became the first player since Price in 2019 to record three assists in a single match.
Vancouver’s defense started the season strong, recording four shutouts through their first nine league matches, but the club has not kept a clean sheet in league play since May 20. On the offensive end, the Canadian side has logged at least one goal in their last 11 matches across all competitions—the last time they failed to find the back of the net was their 0-0 home draw with the Rapids on April 29. Forward Brian White leads the team with six goals, while midfielder Julian Gressel has been the top assist provider with five on the year. Whitecaps FC captain and midfielder Ryan Gauld enters the match on a streak after scoring in four of the club’s last four matches, including a game-tying goal against league-leading FC Cincinnati in their most recent encounter.
Wednesday’s night will also celebrate the Rapids annual Pride Night in continuation of the club’s month-long Pride initiative for June. The two teams will wear Pride tops during warmups before the match that will be auctioned off to benefit You Can Play Project, a nonprofit that works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all LGBTQ people in sports. Custom Pride boots donated by adidas and signed by the entire Rapids team will be up for auction starting on Wednesday, with proceeds going to Athlete Ally, an organization dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport. The club will also be giving out free ‘Love Unites’ postcards designed by local artist Pat Milbery as part of the night’s activations.
