Starting XI:
William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Auston Trusty, Lalas Abubakar, Steven Beitashour, Jack Price (C), Nico Mezquida, Cole Bassett, Collen Warner, Lucas Esteves, Jonathan Lewis
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Andre Shinyashiki, Diego Rubio, Michael Barrios, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Younes Namli, Kellyn Acosta, Braian Galván
Player Availability Report:
N/A
Notes:
GLASS HALF FULL
The Rapids posted their 10th clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s scoreless draw with Toronto, their fourth draw in a row. Colorado is now unbeaten in its last 11 matches, with four clean sheets in that span. The Rapids have allowed just four goals in their last five games.
Colorado has made up five points on first place since the unbeaten streak started. After losing to RSL in Week 15, the Rapids were fourth in the West, eight points behind first-place Seattle with two games in hand, and seventh in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Colorado enters Week 28 three points behind Seattle for first place in the West, even on games, and fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Six of Colorado’s last nine games are against teams currently in a playoff spot, including two against Seattle and a visit to Shield-leading New England. Four of those six are on the road, including three in a row to start October (Oct. 3 @ SEA, Oct. 9 @ MIN, Oct. 16 @ RSL).
RUBBER MATCH
This is the third meeting of the season between these teams. The Rapids defeated Austin, 1-0, on July 31 to begin their current 11-game unbeaten run and six-match road unbeaten streak, which is tied for the longest in club history. Austin won its first MLS match at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on April 24 with three goals in a 12-minute span in the second half.
Andre Shinyashiki opened the scoring in both matches. On April 24, Shinyashiki scored Colorado’s first goal of 2021 and its first of 10 set piece goals so far this season. On July 31, the 24-year-old won an individual battle with Austin Brad Stuver to score Colorado’s only rebound goal of the year in a 1-0 win.
BEST IN THE WEST (AND THE REST)
William Yarbrough posted his 10th clean sheet of the season on Saturday, which is second-best in MLS. His 12 wins are the second-most in MLS this season. Yarbrough has allowed just 24 goals this season in 25 games, tied for the fewest among goalkeepers with at least 22 games played. His 76.24 save percentage is third-best in MLS among goalkeepers with at least 10 appearances.
Since Colorado’s unbeaten streak began, Yarbrough has conceded eight goals (T-2nd fewest in MLS) and posted four clean sheets (T-2nd most in MLS) and an 82.98 save percentage (2nd best MLS).
Yarbrough’s next clean sheet will be his 11th of 2021, setting a Rapids individual single-season record. Colorado set a team record with 13 clean sheets in 2016.
TRUST(WORTH)Y
Auston Trusty makes his 30th career start with Colorado. Entering tonight, the 23-year-old has played in 31 of Colorado’s last 34 regular season matches, his most consistent run of action since playing in 53 consecutive matches to begin his MLS career with Philadelphia from 2018 to 2019. Trusty has completed at least 75 percent of his passes in 23 of his 24 appearances this season. Trusty’s 85.9 percent passing accuracy is the seventh-highest among defenders with at least 24 games played this season.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- Mark-Anthony Kaye is 90 minutes from tying his 2021 season total with Los Angeles FC.
- Jack Price’s next assist will be his 30th since joining Colorado in 2018 and pass Ross Paule for sole possession of third on the club’s all-time list. Price is tied for fifth in MLS with nine assists this season.
