Starting XI & Game Preview: Minnesota United FC vs. Colorado Rapids

Our Colorado Rapids are in Minnesota today to take on Minnesota United FC in the second match. The Rapids won their first meeting with MNFC at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 3-2 on June 23rd. Edgar Castillo and Joe Mason both put in a goal each, and then Tommy Smith had the game-winning header that night.

Since then, both teams have had a bit of a slump. The Loons were eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union last week. (Although prior to that, MNUFC had beaten both the Portland Timbers and NYCFC.)

The Rapids are without Kellyn Acosta, who is on international duty and scored a great goal for the USMNT in their match vs Colombia on Thursday.

On the injury front, the Rapids still may be without the services of Kortne Ford, who had a minor procedure on his knee a few weeks ago. It is confirmed that Jack McBean, Sam Nicholson, and Danny Wilson are out with lingering injuries.

Meanwhile, defender Francisco Calvo is out on international duty for Minnesota. Former Rapids caption Sam Cronin has been out all season due to cervicogenic dysfunction, and they will also be without midfielders Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), and Collin Martin (right ankle injury). Forwards Romario Ibarra (hamstring) and Abu Danladi (right leg injury) are questionable.

Possession matters to coach Hudson and his philosophy of how he wants the team to play. The trick here is knowing when to fire off shots on goal. The patterns of late show that the Rapids players can get into the final third of the field, but then they don’t know what to do with the ball from there. For a team that has scored just one goal since August 14th, they should be firing off shots in the final third like they were invading the Alamo.

Minnesota has allowed 63 goals this season, just one more than Colorado, but have scored 46 to our 32. MNUFC is 10-4-1 at home, while the Rapids are 1-11-3 away.

Starting XI

Cole Bassett becomes the youngest starter in Rapids history today and will lineup alongside:

https://twitter.com/ColoradoRapids/status/1051156913465905152

Colorado

OUT: M - Sam Nicholson (back injury), F - Jack McBean (foot/toe injury)

QUESTIONABLE: D - Kortne Ford (knee injury)

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: M - Johan Blomberg, F - Jack McBean, M - Jack Price, D - Tommy Smith

International duty: M - Kellyn Acosta

Minnesota

OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), M - Collin Martin (right ankle injury)

QUESTIONABLE: F - Romario Ibarra (hamstring injury), F - Abu Danladi (right leg injury)

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: M - Miguel Ibarra, M - Alexi Gomez

International duty: D - Francisco Calvo

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Saturday Oct 13th at 12:00pm

Venue: TCF Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, MN

TV Information: AltitudeTV

Radio: 92.5 FM

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

C38 viewing: Celtic on Market, Blue Spruce Brewing, MudRock’s Tap & Tavern (Louisville)