Starting XI:
William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Jack Price (C), Cole Bassett, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Andre Shinyashiki, Diego Rubio, Michael Barrios
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Jonathan Lewis, Dominique Badji, Nicolás Mezquida, Sebastian Anderson, Collen Warner, Steven Beitashour, Braian Galván
Player Availability Report:
Out – Younes Namli (injury)
Out – Kellyn Acosta (health and safety protocols)
Notes:
CAN'T HOLD THIS DOWN
Colorado won both the last two meetings with Houston Dynamo FC and are unbeaten in the last four. The Rapids cruised to a 3-1 win at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park on May 15, with Michael Barrios assisting goals from Sam Vines and Diego Rubio before Cole Bassett made it 3-1. In their last visit to BBVA Stadium, Rubio and Younes Namli helped the Rapids to a 2-1 win as they closed out the year on a three-game winning streak to clinch a playoff berth. The teams tied 2-2, at BBVA Stadium in August 2019 and 1-1 in Colorado in September 2020. The Rapids are 5-2-4 (W-L-D) against Houston since October 2016.
ORANGE YOU GLAD?
Diego Rubio has six goals and one assist in 10 career matches against Houston, including four goals in five appearances since joining Colorado ahead of 2019. The Chilean has scored the game-winning goal in both last two matchups against Dynamo FC.
Michael Barrios has five goals and 10 assists in 16 career games against Houston. Barrios’ 10 assists against Houston are the most he has against any MLS opponent, and his five goals equal his total against Sporting KC.
Dominique Badji has four goals and five assists in 10 career games against Houston. Badji’s five assists are the most he has against any MLS opponent, while his four goals equal his total against Vancouver.
A TEAM EFFORT
Last week, the Rapids became the first team this year to not to allow Sporting KC a shot on goal as they earned their eighth clean sheet of the season, which is tied for the league lead (Nashville). Colorado has allowed just 58 shots on target this season, tied for third-fewest in MLS and just two fewer than leaders NYCFC and D.C. United. The Rapids’ 177 shots faced (inc. blocks) are the third-fewest in the league.
BUSY WEEK
After Saturday’s match, the Rapids will fly straight to Los Angeles ahead of Tuesday’s match against LA Galaxy (8:30 p.m. MT/Altitude). The Burgundy Boys will then return to Colorado for the second of three Rocky Mountain Cup tilts against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Aug. 21 (7 p.m. MT/Altitude).
TURNING POINT
The Rapids are unbeaten in their last four against Houston thanks in part to Lalas Abubakar’s stoppage-time equalizer on Sept. 9, 2020. Heading into that match, Colorado was winless in six and headed for a fourth loss during that stretch. Since then, however, the Rapids are 14-7-4 in the regular season with 12 clean sheets and a +14 goal differential.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- Lalas Abubakar’s next appearance will be the 80th of his career. The 26-year-old Ghanaian has four career goals, including two with Colorado. Abubakar’s 96th-minute equalizer against Houston on Sept. 9, 2020, is Colorado’s latest goal since D Niki Jackson scored in the 97th minute of a 2-0 win at Minnesota United on Oct. 13, 2018.
- Dominique Badji’s next goal will be his 25th with Colorado, which would pass D Marcelo Balboa for sole possession of eighth on the club’s all-time scoring list.
- Michael Barrios is two assists away from 50 in his MLS career. The Colombian would be the 29th player to reach 35 goals and 50 assists in league history. He has four goals and four assists in 16 games with the Rapids this season.
- Jack Price’s next assist will be his 26th with Colorado, tying Dillon Powers for fifth-most in club history. Price leads the Rapids with five assists this season.
- Keegan Rosenberry is tied for sixth in MLS with 34 interceptions.
- Kellyn Acosta averages 2.6 tackles won per game, which is second in MLS among players with at least 10 appearances.
