Starting XI:
Midfielder Nana Boateng is back in the Rapids' Starting XI today in the wingback position. This season, Boateng has appeared in eight matches, six from the start, and has played a total of 522 minutes. The last time the Accra, Ghana native was in the Starting XI was back on May 26th against Portland.
Striker Yannick Boli returns to the Starting XI after serving a two-game suspension. The 5’ 11’ striker has notched three starts in nine appearances and has one goal in 360 total minutes.
Wingback Edgar Castillo scored his second goal of the season last weekend against Minnesota. The talented wingback has now scored two goals this season with his first goal coming against Vancouver back on June 1. Castillo has notched 14 starts and has one assist this season.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard has started in 14 games this season. The US Men's National Team legend has 44 saves and two clean sheets with the Rapids in 2018. The North Brunswick, New Jersey native recorded six saves against Minnesota.
Striker Joe Mason came off the bench last weekend to score the second goal for the Rapids a minute after getting his first touch on the ball. Mason has notched three goals and played 580 minutes this season. He has seven starts and eleven total appearances in 2018.
Midfielder Sam Nicholson is making his ninth consecutive MLS start since joining Colorado back on May 2. He was named Man of the Match for his performance against the New York Red Bulls back on May 12. Nicholson leads the team with 33 attempted crosses, closely followed by Blomberg with 31 and Castillo with 28.
Midfielder Jack Price is making his 15th MLS start of season today. Last weekend against the Loons, Price lead the Rapids in successful passes (67), long balls (12), chances created (6) and total touches (93).
Defender Axel Sjöberg returns to the Rapids' Starting XI after being an unused substitute last weekend against Minnesota. The last time Sjöberg played against the Whitecaps (6/1), he went off injured with a concussion after a strong collision with Brek Shea. The Stockholm, Sweden native has made six appearances this season.
Defender Tommy Smith scored the game-winner against Minnesota in the last kick of the game. The Englishman headed home a corner kick from Shkëlzen Gashi to give the Rapids a dramatic 3-2 win earning him back-to-back Man of the Match awards for his performance. Smith has played every minute (1350) this season. He’s notched two goals, three assists,17 shots and 695 touches in 2018.
Defender Danny Wilson will be making his 12th MLS start today against the Whitecaps. The Scottish centerback has played a combined 945 minutes this season since joining the Rapids from Rangers F.C. back on January 29. Wilson played all 90 minutes against Vancouver. Last weekend he lead the team with a total of four interceptions.
Defender Deklan Wynne will make his 16th consecutive MLS start since joining the Rapids from Vancouver Whitecaps FC on December 21, 2017. Wynne is one of only two Rapids who has played every minute this season. He leads the team with 61 total clearances.
On the Bench:
Midfielder Micheal Azira made his second MLS start of the season against Houston. His first start of the season came on May 12 against NYCFC. Azira enters his third season with the club, and his fifth in Major League Soccer. In 2017, he finished with a career high in minutes for a single season with 2,569. The Ugandan international featured in two of three matches for his country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Midfielder Johan Blomberg played 69 minutes against Vancouver. Blomberg missed five consecutive games due to a knee injury that occurred against Real Salt Lake back on April 21. He has played a total of 796 minutes in ten MLS starts and has three assists this season.
Defender Kortne Ford appears in the Rapids' 18 for the first time this MLS season. The talented young defender suffered a knee injury during a team scrimmage in early March that has kept him sidelined the entirety of this season. The Olathe, Kansas native will look to get his first minutes of the season today against the Whitecaps.
Midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi is coming off an MLS Team of the Week selection for his two assist performance last weekend. He set up Tommy Smith for the game-winner after crossing in a perfect corner kick. The Zürich, Switzerland native has scored one goal and has two assists in nine appearances this season.
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath has featured in two games this season. MacMath’s first start of the season was against Orlando City SC on April 29. He enters his fourth season in Colorado with 158 minutes played and nine saves in 2018.
Midfielder Enzo Martinez subbed on against Vancouver last weekend in the 33rd minute for an injured Marlon Hairston. He setup Edgar Castillo for the Rapids’ second goal of the game. The Uruguayan has played a total of 1030 minutes with 647 touches and two assists this season.
Striker Jack McBean played 73 minutes against Vancouver before being subbed off by Joe Mason. The Newport Beach, California native scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Red Bulls on May 12. McBean enters his eighth MLS season - first with the Rapids - after being acquired from the LA Galaxy on December 14, 2017. He’s played a total of 412 minutes for the Rapids in 2018.
Injury Report:
Dominique Badji – day to day
