Starting XI:
William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Nico Mezquida, Michael Barrios, Diego Rubio, Braian Galván
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Andre Shinyashiki, Nico Benezet, Jeremy Kelly, Jack Price, Kortne Ford, Oliver Larraz, Collen Warner
Player Availability Report:
Out – Younes Namli (Injury)
Out – Jonathan Lewis (International Duty)
Out – Sam Vines (International Duty)
Notes:
GALVÁN ENTERS THE XI
Braian Galván has been selected to the starting lineup for the first time in 2021. The 20-year-old Argentine has appeared in three matches this season, all off the bench. In 2020, Galvan appeared in nine games during his debut season, starting two contests while contributing a goal and an assist.
BARRIOS ON A ROLL
Michael Barrios has three goals and three assists in his last six games, which is his best production over six games since he tallied two goals and five assists from Aug. 10 – 31, 2019, a season in which he posted five goals and a career-high 15 assists. The 30-year-old Colombian winger scored the equalizer on Sunday against Seattle, receiving a cross from Sam Vines before cutting in on his left foot and firing far post. Barrios is tied with F Diego Rubio for the team lead with three goals, and is second on the team with three assists.
After Sunday’s match, Robin Fraser said, “All season long [Barrios has] been creating chances for himself and for others. Obviously scoring goals, certainly recently. In terms of goals and assists, he’s been so dangerous recently. I just think as he continues to do this and continues to understand the players and get more and more comfortable, he has been one of our most dangerous players and will continue to be one of our most dangerous players.”
GOLD CUP CALLING
Colorado will be without Sam Vines and Jonathan Lewis, who were both called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the Concacaf Gold Cup (July 10 – Aug. 1). Vines becomes the first Rapids Academy product to be named to the USMNT for a senior international tournament. The 21-year-old Colorado Springs native assisted on Michael Barrios’ equalizer on Sunday against Seattle.
Kellyn Acosta was also called up to the USMNT for the Gold Cup, but will remain with Colorado through Wednesday’s match before departing. Colorado is tied with Atlanta United for the most players named to the USMNT Gold Cup roster (3).
FORTRESS ALTITUDE
The Rapids have scored in 29 consecutive MLS matches at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the longest active home scoring streak in MLS. Additionally, the Rapids are unbeaten in their last four games at DSGP. Their unbeaten run started on Minnesota’s last visit to Colorado, as the Rapids erased a two-goal deficit in the second half to secure a 3-2 win. Colorado then defeated Houston, 3-1, before shutting out Dallas, 3-0, and drawing Seattle, 1-1. This is the second match of a four-game homestand.
Colorado has won three of four all-time meetings with Minnesota at DSGP, including each of the last three.
Robin Fraser started his tenure in 2019 with four straight wins at home and an unbeaten run of five games. A win or draw on Wednesday would equal Colorado’s longest home unbeaten run under Fraser.
LOCAL PRIDE
Minnesota is undefeated in seven games since its second-half collapse at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on May 8. The Loons picked up two home wins over Vancouver and Dallas before 1-1 draws at Real Salt Lake and Dallas. Minnesota earned a pair of shutout victories (2-0 over Austin, 1-0 over Portland) before dropping points in a 2-2 draw against San Jose on July 3.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- Kellyn Acosta leads the team and is tied for 6th in MLS with 22 tackles won this season.
- Michael Barrios’ next appearance will be his 190th in MLS. The 30-year-old Colombian has three goals and three assists in his last six games and is one of five players to register at least 30 goals and 40 assists since 2015.
- William Yarbrough’s four shutouts are tied for second in MLS. Yarbrough’s next clean sheet will pass his total of four from 2020, his first season with Colorado. His next win will be his sixth of the season, which would match his total from 14
appearances in 2020.
