Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids | Roster Notes | March 9, 2019

Starting XI:

Goalkeeper Tim Howardwas named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 1) after his performance against the Timbers last Saturday. In January, Howard announced that 2019 will be his final season in his storied playing career. Howard has been a mainstay on the US men's national team and spent more than 10 years in England before rejoining MLS with the Rapids in 2016. Since then, the New Jersey native has featured in 76 games, boasting 18 shutouts.

Defender Keegan Rosenberry made his first appearance with the Rapids last Saturday against the Timbers after spending three seasons with the Philadelphia Union. A skilled right-back, Rosenberry will be looking to become a regular in the Rapids lineup after coming off a bounce-back season with the Union in 2018. He made 32 regular season appearances with the Union in 2018, 31 from the start, registering one goal and three assists.

Defender Danny Wilsonearns his first start of the season tonight against the Sounders. Wilson subbed on in the 30th minute and played a key role in the 3-3 draw against Portland last Saturday. Wilson is in his second season with the club, featuring in 23 games in 2018.

Defender Deklan Wynnewill make his second start of the season tonight. The 23-year-old enters his second season in Colorado after making 25 regular season appearances with the Rapids in 2018, 22 from the start.

Defender Dillon Sernawill make his second start of the season and 50th in his career. The Homegrown was named Man of the Match after his performance against the Timbers during the Rapids home opener. This is Serna'sseventh season with the club after signing on January 14, 2013, and he is just 8 games away from making his 100th regular season appearance for the Rapids.

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber made his first appearance with the Rapids last Saturday after signing as a free agent on January 11. Feilhaber was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 1) after scoring in the 46th minute to put the Rapids level with the Timbers. Since his MLS debut in 2011, the US international has scored 38 goals and added 56 assists in over 18,000 minutes of regular season play. 

Midfielder Jack Pricewill make his first start of the season tonight against the Sounders. Price subbed on for Cole Bassett in the 40th minute last Saturday against the Timbers. Price enters his second season with the Rapids after spending his previous seven years with Wolverhampton Wanders FC. His vision, passing range and tactical awareness proved successful during his first MLS season in 31 appearances.

Midfielder Kellyn Acostagrabbed his first assist of the 2019 season feeding Kei Kamara in the 16th minute of the 3-3 draw with Portland. Acosta put in a 77-minute shift against the Timbers before being replaced by Andre Shinyashiki. Acosta was traded to the Rapids in July after spending his entire MLS career with FC Dallas. The US international started all 12 matches following the trade, scoring two goals and adding three assists. Overall, the 23-year-old has 11 goals and 16 assists in his MLS career.

Midfielder Nicolás Mezquidawill make his second start for the Rapids tonight after spending five seasons with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Uruguayan is a positionally versatile attacker, proficient at both setting up teammates and finishing in the attack. Since arriving in MLS, he has scored 12 goals and added four assists in over 4,000 minutes of regular season play. 

Forward Diego Rubiowill make his second start for the Rapids tonight after spending three seasons with Sporting Kansas City. Rubio put in a 30-minute shift against Portland before being replaced by Danny Wilson. The Chilean averaged 0.92 goals per 90 minutes in 2018 which put him behind only Atlanta’s Josef Martínez and LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimović. He bagged eight goals and six assists in 2018 in just 781 minutes.

Forward Kei Kamarawill make his second start for the club tonight after spending 2018 with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The MLS veteran scored the first goal of the 2019 campaign last weekend during his Rapids debut. The goal was Kamara's 113th career MLS goal, good enough for sixth in league history. Kamara has also added 44 career assists in over 23,000 minutes of regular season play. 

On the Bench:

Goalkeeper Clint Irwinrejoins the Rapids in 2018 after spending three seasons with Toronto FC. The 'keeper has appeared in 121 regular season games over his six-year MLS career, recording 33 shutouts. 

Homegrown defender Sam Rabenmakes the gameday roster for the first time in his professional career. The 21-year-old from Greenwood Village became the tenth Development Academy player to sign a first-team contract with the Rapids in January. At the NCAA level, Raben played in every minute (8187) of every game (91) during his four years at Wake Forest.

Homegrown defender Sam Vinesfeatures on the gameday roster tonight. Vines made his MLS debut during the Rapids final away game of 2018 against the San Jose Earthquakes on October 21. 

Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett made his first start of 2019 on March 2 against the Timbers, putting in a 40-minute shift. The 17-year-old became the youngest player to sign with the club when he inked his Homegrown contract on August 10. Following his signing, Bassett made an immediate impact, earning three starts in six appearances and scoring his first MLS goal in a 2-1 win over FC Dallas on October 28. The midfielder was named to the MLS Team of the Week twice in 2018.

Midfielder Johan Blombergstarts the first away match of 2019 on the bench. Blomberg is in his second season with the Rapids after making 24 regular season appearances with the club in 2018. The versatile midfielder grabbed three assists during his first MLS season. 

Forward Andre Shinyashikiscored the stoppage time equalizer in the 3-3 draw against Portland. The dramatic goal would eventually be voted MLS Goal of the Week (Week 1). The Brazilian was selected fifth overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft after four productive years at the University of Denver. Shinyashiki scored 51 goals and added 15 assists over his 83 appearances at the NCAA level.

Forward Niki Jacksonmakes the gameday roster in Seattle and provides depth and pace off the bench. Jackson enters his second season with the Rapids after being selected No. 73 overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The 23-year-old featured in 15 games in 2018, scoring three goals.

Colorado Rapids Injury Report