Starting XI:
Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Lalas Abubakar, Jonathan Lewis, Diego Rubio, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Kellyn Acosta, Jack Price (C), William Yarbrough, Collen Warner, Steven Beitashour
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Dominique Badji, Andre Shinyashiki, Michael Barrios, Nicolás Mezquida, Younes Namli, Cole Bassett, Lucas Esteves
Player Availability Report:
Out - Braian Galván (Injury)
Out - Keegan Rosenberry (Injury)
Notes:
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
The Rapids can win the Western Conference with a win over LAFC on Sunday, and a loss or draw by both Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting KC. Colorado can finish no lower than third in the West and is guaranteed a home playoff game. The Rapids can clinch a berth in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League if they finish in second place or higher. Colorado has never finished higher than second in the West.
MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
Mark-Anthony Kaye has been among the best midfielders in MLS since joining Colorado from LAFC in exchange for $1 million GAM. In addition to his goal and two assists, Kaye’s chances created from open play per 90 minutes are up to 1.4 from 1.07, and his expected assists per 90 minutes are up to .21 from .17 since joining Colorado. The 24-year-old was instrumental in Colorado’s goal in Houston on Sunday, continuing his run to create space for Dominique Badji to turn and finish. Kaye is tied for 10th in MLS with 13 through balls in 2021.
The Toronto native played 79 games for LAFC, including two playoff matches, from 2018 to July 2021.
WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD
The last time LAFC visited DICK’S Sporting Goods Park (June 2019), the Rapids came away with a 1-0 win. Danny Wilson and Jack Price connected on a corner kick to secure the victory, one of 19 goals on set pieces by the Rapids that season.
- Dominique Badji assisted in his only career meeting against LAFC, in 2019, with FC Dallas.
- Michael Barrios scored in the previous meeting against LAFC on May 22 in California, his first goal with the club.
- Diego Rubio has three assists in four matches against LAFC. He assisted on F Michael Barrios’ goal on May 22.
GATEKEEPER
William Yarbrough made six saves in Sunday’s win at Houston, raising his season total to 105, fourth-most in MLS. It was his 13th clean sheet of the season, tying Nashville Joe Willis and Red Bulls Carlos Coronel for the league lead with one fewer appearance. His 77.61 save percentage is the highest in MLS among goalkeepers with at least 20 games played. Yarbrough is the only goalkeeper to rank in the top five in each category.
Yarbrough’s clean sheet extended his own single-season club record, as well as the club’s single-season shutout record set in 2016 when Tim Howard and Zac MacMath combined for 13. He is fifth in club history with 17 clean sheets.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- A win or draw on Sunday would secure the most points in a single season in club history. Colorado is currently on 58 points, tied with the 2016 Rapids.
- The Rapids can clinch a berth in the Concacaf Champions League if they finish second or higher.
- Colorado’s next win will be the 30th under Robin Fraser. The Rapids are 29-15-14 since Fraser’s first match at the helm on Aug. 31, 2019; their 1.74 points per game since then are third-best in MLS.
- Jack Price’s next start will be his 100th with the club. He is third on the club’s all-time list with 32 assists. He is the first Rapids player to earn 12 assists in a season since Omar Cummings in 2009.
- The Rapids are 3-0-0 all-time in the month of November in the regular season. Last season, they won on Nov. 1, 4 and 8 to close the season on a three-game winning streak and clinch a playoff berth in their first full season under Robin Fraser.
- The Rapids are tied for third in MLS with 13 goals off set pieces this season. They are also tied for the fewest goals conceded off free kicks with four.
- Michael Barrios’ next goal and assist will be the 40th and 50th of his career, respectively. His next goal would be his ninth of the season, tying a career high set in 2016 with FC Dallas.
- Cole Bassett is second among all players 20 years or younger with 7.92 expected goals
- Andre Shinyashiki’s next start will be his 50th in MLS. His next appearance will be his 32nd of the season, setting a new career high.
- Nico Mezquida’s next start will be the 70th in MLS. He is 84 minutes from 7,000 in his eight-year MLS career.
- Steven Beitashour played 57 games for LAFC in 2018 and 2019, including a playoff game in each season. He started 25 games in 2019 as LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield.
