Starting XI:
William Yarbrough (C), Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Lucas Esteves, Kellyn Acosta, Collen Warner, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Braian Galván, Jonathan Lewis, Michael Barrios
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Dominique Badji, Andre Shinyashiki, Jeremy Kelly, Nico Mezquida, Cole Bassett, Steven Beitashour
Player Availability Report:
Out – Lalas Abubakar (injury)
Out – Younes Namli (injury)
Out – Jack Price (yellow card accumulation)
Out – Diego Rubio (injury)
Notes:
DANCING IN SEPTEMBER
With five wins and two draws in their last seven games, the Rapids have picked up 17 of the last 21 possible points, marking their best run of form over seven games in the two years since Robin Fraser took over.
In 12 games since the Fourth of July, the Rapids are 7-1-4 (W-L-D), which is the second-best record in MLS in that time. Colorado’s 2.08 points per game trail only New England at 2.33. The Rapids have conceded the fewest goals (9) and are tied for the most clean sheets with five.
The Rapids are 18-7-7 since September 2020, with their 1.91 points per game an MLS-best in that time; New England and Seattle trail with 1.87 and 1.81 points per game, respectively. Colorado’s 34 goals conceded are also the fewest in that time, excluding 2021 expansion side Austin FC.
BADJI'S BACK
On Saturday in San Jose, Dominique Badji scored his first goal since returning to the club at the end of July. His goal, his 25th with the club, moves him into sole possession of eighth place on the club’s all-time scoring list, passing club legend D Marcelo Balboa.
Badji’s goal was the sixth of the season scored by a substitute, and the third in the last five games. Two of those – Badji’s on Saturday and Andre Shinyashiki’s on Aug. 17 at LA Galaxy – were game-winners scored one minute after the played entered the match. Badji’s goal in San Jose was assisted by substitutes Nico Mezquida and Jonathan Lewis.
GO, JONNY, GO
Jonathan Lewis picked up his first assist of the season on Dominique Badji’s game-winning goal on Saturday in San Jose. The 24-year-old winger now has two goals and an assist in his last four games, starting with his penalty kick conversion in Colorado’s 2-1 win at LA Galaxy on Aug. 17. Lewis also scored in the 1-1 draw at Sporting KC on Aug. 28. Lewis’ 200 minutes player per goal this season is second-best on the team, after Badji’s goal in 30 minutes with Colorado this season.
KINGS OF THE GALAXY
Colorado is undefeated in its last six meetings against LA, winning five of them, including each of the last four. The Rapids closed out a six-point road trip with a thrilling, 2-1 win in Carson, Calif., on Aug. 17, in the only previous meeting this season.
- Cole Bassett has two goals in four career matches against LA Galaxy.
- Jonathan Lewis has three goals in four career matches against LA Galaxy, all of them starts. He has scored more goals against Galaxy than any other MLS opponent.
- Andre Shinyashiki has two goals and an assist in four career matches against LA Galaxy. He scored the game-winner in the most recent meeting on Aug. 17.
- William Yarbrough has won both his matches against the Galaxy.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- Dominique Badji’s next appearance will be the 150th of his MLS career and his 95th with the club, tying M Marlon Hairston for fifth-most by a Rapids SuperDraft pick in MLS in club history.
- Cole Bassett has four goals and three assists in 11 career matches in September, his most productive month.
- Andre Shinyashiki has four goals and two assists in 11 career matches in September, his most productive month. Drew Moor’s next start will be the 370th of his MLS career, passing Nashville Dax McCarty for sole possession of fifth-most in MLS history, and his 186th with Colorado, second-most in club history. Moor is two appearances away from 400 in his 17-year MLS career.
- Kellyn Acosta’s next start will be the 160th of his MLS career, while his next assist will be his 20th.
