Starting XI:
Midfielder Johan Blomberg will be in the midfield tonight for his 13th start of the year. Blomberg co-leads the team with three assists and is second overall with 35 crosses. He has played a total of 969 minutes in 13 appearances.
Striker Yannick Boli replaced Dominique Badji in the 76th minute the last time the Rapids played in Rio Tinto on April 21. The French international has made 13 appearances for the Rapids in 2018.
Edgar Castillo will start for the 17th time this season. He is one of two defenders (Smith) who have scored for the Rapids this season. Both of Castillo’s blistering goals have been nominated for goals of the week (Week 14 and 17). He has two assists this season, 18 shots, 14 fouls committed, one offside and five yellow cards.
Defender Kortne Ford is making his fourth start in 2018. The Olathe, Kansas native played 90 minutes and notched his first MLS Team of the Week honors for his performance during Saturday’s home game against Houston Dynamo. The talented young defender missed the away game against Real Salt Lake earlier this season due to a knee injury he suffered during a team scrimmage in early March. Ford lead the team with 79 touches last game.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard starts in goal for the 61st time since joining the Rapids in 2016. Howard recorded his fourth clean sheet of the year in the 0-0 draw against Houston in Week 20. The US Men's national team legend has 61 saves and four clean sheets this season with the Rapids. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week during Week 4 and during Week 18 after his 10-save performance during the 1-0 road win in Vancouver.
Striker Jack McBeanwill be making his seventh start this season. He replaced Giles Barnes last weekend in the 52nd minute. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He’s played a total of 524 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson makes his 13th consecutive start tonight since joining Colorado from Minnesota back on May 2. Tonight’s game will be Nicholson’s first against RSL with the Rapids. He leads the team with 43 crosses. He’s one of eight players to top the 1,000 minute mark this season with 1,025. Nicholson scored his first-ever goal with the Rapids on July 4 during the 2-1 home-loss to Seattle.
Midfielder Jack Price leads the team with 1,174 total touches in 2018. In his first season with the Rapids, Price has started 17 times and played 1,530 minutes. He has one goal and three assist. The Englishman has logged one game-winning goal (vs.TOR) and one game-winning assist (vs.PHI) this season.
Defender Axel Sjöberg starts in his ninth contest this season. He lead the Rapids with five total interceptions and 59 successful passes against Houston. The Stockholm, Sweden native has played 765 minutes in 10 appearances this season. He’s in his fourth season with Colorado after being acquired as the 14th pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Defender Tommy Smith played in the backline for 90 minutes vs Houston. Smith has played every minute (1,710) this MLS season. He’s notched two goals, one of which was a game-winning goal, three assists, and 21 shots in 2018. He’s been named to the MLS Team of the Week on two occasions (Week 17 and 18).
Danny Wilson has topped the 1,000th minute mark this season with 1,215. Wilson will feature in the midfield for a fourth time this season alongside Jack Price. The six-foot-two defender will start in his 16th game for the Rapids since being acquired from Rangers F.C. on January 29.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Nana Boateng returns to the Rapids 18 tonight. The Accra Ghana native has featured nine times, seven from the start, in 583 minutes.
Midfielder Marlon Hairston did not see the field in the 0-0 draw against Houston. Hairston has played a combined 315 minutes against RSL since 2014. He’s logged one career assist against RSL, April 15, 2017, when he set up Kevin Doyle for the first goal of the match in the 29th minute.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez did not feature in last week’s home match against Houston. The Montevideo, Uruguay native will look to come off the bench for a fifth time this season if his name is called upon.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath has featured in two games this season. MacMath’s first start of the season was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Midfielder Dillon Serna also returns to the Rapids 18. The Homegrown player has featured seven times this season racking up 187 minutes.
Wingback Deklan Wynne will be available off the bench for the second time this season. The versatile defender has played 1,620 minutes and logged a Week 5 MLS Team of the Week selection in 2018. The Rapids acquired the Wynne from Vancouver last December. He’s made 18 appearances for Colorado, all from the start.
Injury Report:
Barnes – day by day
Out:
Badji – In Senegal finalizing green card process
Gashi – Tending to a family emergency. Expected to return Monday and available for selection against Boca Juniors
