Colorado Rapids forward Diego Rubio will be available for selection for the Rapids’ first-round match of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs at Minnesota on Sunday.
Rubio returned from his call-up to the Chile national team fully healthy and ready to continue his late run of form.
"He's got to be training individually at the moment," head coach Robin Fraser explained on Thursday during his media availability. "[But] I don't know why we wouldn't expect Diego to play this weekend."
The 27-year-old had a goal and two assists in four games down the stretch, including an assist on Colorado’s goal against Minnesota at the end of October. Rubio then helped set up Kellyn Acosta’s playoff-clinching goal on Nov. 4 against Portland and scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time of the regular season finale in Houston.
“Diego is one of the smartest forwards I’ve ever been around,” Fraser said after Rubio’s game-winner in Houston. “His unselfishness, his ability to lead the press, his timing, his work rate. He’s incredibly unselfish in what he does. This is one of the strengths of this team. There are a lot of unselfish guys on the team that are willing to do work for other guys when they need to and Diego is the first one that will do that. What he's given us all year is so much more than just goals. What he does is allow us to play the way that we play."
The Rapids take on Minnesota United FC on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM.
