Starting XI:
Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Lalas Abubakar, Dominique Badji, Michael Barrios, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jack Price (C), Younes Namli, William Yarbrough, Steven Beitashour, Lucas Esteves
Bench: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Jonathan Lewis, Andre Shinyashiki, Diego Rubio, Jeremy Kelly, Nicolás Mezquida, Cole Bassett, Collen Warner
Player Availability Report:
Out - Kellyn Acosta (Injury)
Out - Braian Galván (Injury)
Out - Keegan Rosenberry (Injury)
Notes:
HAUNTED HOUSTON
The Rapids visit Houston with the chance to complete their second three-game season sweep of 2021. Colorado defeated Minnesota United in all three meetings this year – 3-2, 2-0, 3-1 – with the first two at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. A Rapids win on Sunday would give them a second three-game sweep of the season for the first time ever. Colorado has won three straight over Dynamo FC and is 2-0-1 in its last three visits to Houston.
Entering the season, Colorado’s most recent three-game sweep came against Sporting KC in 2016, when they also won both meetings against Seattle. The other three-plus-game season sweeps in club history include 3-0-0 over Columbus in 1996 and 4-0-0 against Sporting KC in 1999, though three of those were in shootouts.
There have been nine three-game sweeps in MLS this season, including Colorado over Minnesota. Five teams, including Colorado, can still complete a three-game sweep this regular season. LAFC, Inter Miami and New England have already completed two, three-game sweeps each.
CAPTAIN JACK-O-LANTERN
Rapids captain Jack Price has lit up MLS with a league-best eight assists off set pieces this season, which have helped Colorado be tied for second in MLS with 13 goals off restarts in 2021. The Rapids have scored three goals in each meeting against Dynamo FC, including Lalas Abubakar’s header off a Price corner delivery on Aug. 14 in Houston. That goal remains Colorado’s earliest in a match this season. The Rapids have scored on 11 corners this season, including two of their last four goals.
Price leads MLS with 22 assists off set plays since 2019; the Rapids lead MLS with 41 goals off set pieces since then, 10 more than Seattle in second.
TRICK OR TREAT
Colorado is three points away from tying its single-season points record, 58, which it set in 2016. A Rapids win would earn their 58th point, and would be their 16th win of the season, the most since they won 20 in 1999.
After securing a second playoff berth in two full seasons under Robin Fraser with a 2-0 win over Portland last week, the Rapids clinched home field advantage thanks to Sporting KC’s win over LA Galaxy on Wednesday. With two regular season games left, Colorado can still catch Kansas City for first place in the Western Conference and can now finish no lower than fourth in the standings.
HOUSTON, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM
- Michael Barrios has six goals and 10 assists, both his highest against any MLS opponent, in 17 career meetings against Houston. He assisted on Colorado’s first two goals in the first meeting on May 15 and scored the game-winner on Aug. 14 in Texas.
- Dominique Badji has four goals and five assists, his highest combined total against any MLS opponent, in 11 career matches against Houston. He posted a career-high three assists in a 3-1 win over Dynamo FC in Colorado in July 2017.
- Diego Rubio has six goals in 11 career meetings against Houston, his highest total against any MLS opponent. He scored the game-winning goal against Dynamo FC on May 15 and assisted F Michael Barrios’ winner on Aug 14 at PNC Stadium.
- Cole Bassett has a goal and two assists in five career meetings against Houston, including a goal and an assist in the two matches this season.
- Braian Galván has one goal in 90 minutes across two appearances against Dynamo FC. He scored his most recent goal in the 3-1 win in Texas on Aug. 14.
- Mark-Anthony Kaye has a goal and two assists in seven career matches against Houston.
- Lalas Abubakar has two goals in his last three games against Houston.
NOTES & MILESTONES
- A Rapids win on Sunday would mark the first time they win in the same stadium as visitors twice in the same year since 2013 when they defeated Chivas USA and LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center/StubHub Center.
- William Yarbrough made six saves on Wednesday to raise his total to 99 this season, fourth-most in MLS. His 12 clean sheets are second-most in MLS, while his 76.56 save percentage is the highest in the league among goalkeepers with at least 20 appearances.
- Michael Barrios’ next goal will be the 40th and his next assist will be the 50th of his career.
- Auston Trusty is fifth in MLS with 56 interceptions. His next appearance will be his 40th with the club.
- Andre Shinyashiki’s next start will be the 50th of his MLS career. It would be his 19th of the season, setting a new career high, while tying a career-best 31 appearances.
- Danny Wilson’s next appearance will be his 80th with Colorado in MLS.
- Jonathan Lewis’ next appearance will be his 60th with Colorado. His next goal will be his sixth of the season and set a new career high.
- Nico Mezquida’s next start will be his 20th with the club.
- Collen Warner played 24 games for Houston in 2016.
