Eastern European firepower will add flavor to proceedings inside Toyota Park on Wednesday night (Altitude TV, 6:30 p.m. MT), with much expected from both Nemanja Nikolić of Chicago Fire and the Rapids’ own Shkëlzen Gashi.
Rapids fans will hope that Gashi’s two goals against San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday are an indicator that he is finding his form after early season set-backs. The Albania international will relish the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Nikolić and Bastian Schweinsteiger, and hopefully steal the spotlight.
For his part, Hungary forward Nikolić has hit the ground running in his first season in MLS. Like Gashi, he bagged a brace in his last game, a 4-1 home win for the Fire over defending champions Seattle Sounders FC. The 29-year-old now has eight goals in 10 games, following an offseason move from Polish club Legia Warsaw.
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Shkelzen Gashi.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 200px;"> |
<p align="center"><br><br><br><br><br><strong>vs.</strong></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Nikolic, Nemanja - Chicago Fire - 2017.JPG" style="width: 200px; height: 199px;"> |
<p align="center">Shkëlzen Gashi</p> |
<strong>Name</strong> |
<p align="center">Nemanja Nikolić</p> |
<p align="center">11</p> |
<strong>No.</strong> |
<p align="center">23</p> |
<p align="center">Forward</p> |
<strong>Position</strong> |
<p align="center">Forward</p> |
<p align="center">28</p> |
<strong>Age</strong> |
<p align="center">29</p> |
<p align="center">6'0"</p> |
<strong>Height</strong> |
<p align="center">5'11"</p> |
<p align="center">165lbs</p> |
<strong>Weight</strong> |
<p align="center">176lbs</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Albaniaflag.png" style="opacity: 0.9; text-align: -webkit-center; width: 75px; height: 42px;"> |
<strong>Nationality</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://colorado-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/elfinderimages/Hungaryflag.jpg" style="opacity: 0.9; text-align: -webkit-center; width: 75px; height: 42px;"> |
<p align="center">2016</p> |
<strong>Joined MLS</strong> |
<p align="center">2017</p> |
<p align="center">2nd season</p> |
<strong>MLS Experience</strong> |
<p align="center">1st season</p> |
<p align="center">32</p> |
<strong>Appearances</strong> |
<p align="center">10</p> |
<p align="center">FC Basel, Grasshopper Zurich, Neuchâtel Xamax, FC Aarau, FC Schaffhausen, AC Bellinzona, FC Zurich</p> |
<strong>Previous clubs</strong> |
<p align="center">Legia Warsaw, Videoton, Kaposvár, Kaposvölgye, Barcs</p> |
<p align="center">He has a dangerous left foot that allows him to locate shots from distance, helping him win the 2016 MLS Goal of the Year, and to set up teammates. He can put opposing defenders on their heels thanks to his technical ability.</p> |
<strong>What they say …</strong> |
<p align="center">A prolific striker in Europe, <span style="text-align: -webkit-center;">Nikolić</span> joined the Fire prior to the 2017 season to help jumpstart an attack that scored 42 goals in 2016. His pace and ability to finish should make him a contender for Newcomer of the Year.</p> |
