Starting XI:
William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Jack Price, Younes Namli, Michael Barrios, Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki
Bench: Sebastian Anderson, Nicolas Benezet, Clint Irwin, Oliver Larraz, Jonathan Lewis, Nicolás Mezquida, Drew Moor, Colin Warner, Darren Yapi
Player Availability Report
- Out – Lalas Abubakar (injury)
- Out – Steven Beitashour (injury)
- Out – Braian Galvan (injury)
- Out – Sam Vines (injury
Notes:
THE STARTING XI REMAINS THE SAME
The starting lineup remains the same as last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against FC Dallas. Homegrown Sebastian Anderson joins fellow Homegrowns Oliver Larraz and Darren Yapi on the bench after being recalled from his loan with Colorado Spring Switchbacks FC earlier today.
LONG TIME NO SEE
On Saturday, the Rapids will welcome fans to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park for the first time since March 7, 2020 – a stretch of 413 days – when they defeated Orlando City, 2-1. Midfielder Younes Namli scored in his Rapids home debut and defender Drew Moor scored in stoppage time in his first home match since returning to the club.
MOUNTAIN ROADS, TAKE ME HOME
The Rapids are 9-1-4 (W-L-D) in Home Openers at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, including 4-0-3 since 2014. Colorado is also 8-2-2 all-time at home against expansion sides in their first visit to the Mile High City in their inaugural MLS seasons. Colorado has scored in 24 consecutive matches at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, dating back to Oct. 28, 2018, the longest stretch in club history.
NEXT MAN UP
Last week at FC Dallas, Kellyn Acosta lined up at left back to fill in for Sam Vines, who missed the match with injury. Acosta stepped up, leading the team with seven interceptions while taking 71 touches, second-most on the team, and making four tackles, tied with Jack Price for the team lead on the night. Acosta previously played left back during Colorado’s playoff match in 2020, as well as on occasion for the USMNT and at FC Dallas.
Head coach Robin Fraser lauded Acosta’s performance, saying, “It’s a tough thing when you go through the entire preseason playing your natural position and you have a few days to prepare for playing completely out of position. I thought his commitment to doing it well was fantastic and it showed on both ends of the field. He defended really well and his willingness to, as you alluded to, get forward, create situations with Andre [Shinyashiki], combine with him to get forward, I thought it was really good.”
