Starting XI & Game Preview: Colorado Rapids at San Jose Earthquakes

With two games left on the schedule, the Colorado Rapids are in San Jose today to take on the Quakes. The Rapids look to finish out the year with a winning streak in a season that saw the team navigate themselves through two extended losing streaks.

It could be time for the RapKids to get some playing time since the youngsters have all been recalled from their respective loans. In particular, Edgar Castillo has been fighting an injury and came off with a hamstring injury last week, which could make way for Sam Vines, who has played in every match for the Charlotte Independence.

Many fans are eager to see the return of Kortne Ford, and with Tommy Smith suspended and Danny Wilson out with a back injury, this is a good week for him to come back. Despite an effort to appeal the red card from the Minnesota match, the MLS Disciplinary Committee deemed that Smith deserved the card and he is out for the match vs. San Jose. Yannick Boli is also suspended due to his part in the scrum last week, which should mean that youngster Niki Jackson will get the start today.

San Jose is looking at one of the worst seasons in MLS history, having won only FOUR games all year and accumulating just 20 points. That being said, the Quakes are 15-8-7 against the Rapids at home, so with the types of seasons both teams are having this year this match could turn out to be an interesting one. Also of note is SJ forward Chris Wondolowski is looking to tie Landon Donovan’s all-time goal record. Wondo is currently sitting on 144 goals and the current record is 145. Considering that the Pids have not had the most reliable defense this year, we may see that record tied this afternoon.

Typically, San Jose likes to slow the pace of the game down. The midfield is usually choppy and difficult to get through. (Read our full preview of the Quakes here.) Jack Price will have to shoulder a lot of the physical burden and hopefully Kellyn Acosta will play today (he got back on Friday after a run with the USMNT). Should Acosta not get the start, it would seem likely that Cole Bassett will get another start this afternoon.

The game is an early one as far as games on the West Coast go, with a 3 pm start. Coverage is on Altitude 2 and Altitude 950.

Starting XI:

Injuries/Suspensions

Colorado

OUT: Sam Nicholson (back), Jack McBean (toe), Zac MacMath (illness), Danny Wilson (back)< Ricardo Perez (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: Edgar Castillo (hamstring)

Suspended: Tommy Smith, Yannick Boli

Suspended after next caution: Johan Blomberg, Jack McBean, Niki Jackson

San Jose

OUT: D - Kevin Partida (right ACL reconstruction surgery and partial meniscectomy), M - Jahmir Hyka (facial surgery)

QUESTIONABLE: None

Suspended:

Suspended after next caution: M - Luis Felipe

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Sunday, October 21st at 3 pm MT

Venue: Avaya Stadium - San Jose, CA

TV Information: Altitude2

It’s also streaming on Altitude Now as long as you have log in info for a provider that normally shows Altitude TV.

Radio: Altitude950

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

C38 Watch Parties: Celtic on Market (Denver), Blue Spruce Brewing (South Denver), Mudrock’s Tap & Tavern (Louisville)