Starting XI & Game Preview: Colorado Rapids vs New England Revolution

The Colorado Rapids’ 4th of July game is one that many fans look forward to every year. Even if the team isn’t doing so well, most fans have this game marked on their calendar anyway. It’s the game where you bring your family and friends in the hopes of getting them addicted to the gameday experience. The Rapids are 13-5-5 on Independence Day, so it’s almost always a game to remember.

This year, Colorado take on the New England Revolution, the Eastern Conference version of the Rapids. At the beginning of 2019, New England and head coach Brad Friedel saw just two wins in their first 10 games, which sent the former USMNT keeper packing. In came Bruce Arena and now the team is on a six-game unbeaten streak, including draws against the top three teams in the east.

With an overall record of 4-14-4 in Colorful Colorado, New England has only seen four W’s when playing here, but will certainly be looking to keep their unbeaten streak alive.

The Rapids are not just on an unbeaten streak but are riding a huge wave of momentum having won their last four home games by a margin of eight goals for and three goals against. If the Rapids continue to take care of business at home, the talk of playoff hopes won’t be so far-fetched.

Coach Casey has some ties to Bruce Arena, having briefly played for him with the men’s national team. This could be a situation where we see if student overcomes the master. Kei Kamara also played for the Revs and we saw how he picked apart Vancouver. Rapids fans are hopeful that he will do the same today.

As for injuries, Jack Price may not partake in this one as he was seen on the sidelines and/or just jogging around the training pitch, recovering from a foot injury from last week’s game. It’s very likely that Cole Bassett will step in the midfield alongside Danny Wilson. We may see Sam Nicolson return, but he is questionable with a hamstring concern. Jonathan Lewis is still with the USMNT so the likeliness of a Diego Rubio and Andre Shinyashiki getting the nod are very high.

And don’t forget to stick around for the fireworks after the game!

Starting XI: Tim Howard, Keegan Rosenberry, Tommy Smith, Lalas Abubakar, Sam Vines, Danny Wilson, Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett, Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki, Kei Kamara

Officials:

Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Assistant Referees: Brian Dunn, Jeff Hosking

4th Official: Lukasz Szpala

VAR: Luis Guardia

Colorado

OUT: Kortne Ford (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: Sam Nicolson (hamstring), Jack Price (foot), Deklan Wynne (foot)

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: Kellyn Acosta, Diego Rubio, Jack Price

International duty: Jonathan Lewis

New England

OUT: None

QUESTIONABLE: Michael Mancienne (foot)

Suspended: none

Suspended after next caution: Antonio Mlinar Delamea (D), Juan Agudelo (F)

International duty: Zachary Herivaux (M)

How to Watch

Match Date/Time: Thursday, July 4^th at 7 p.m.

Venue: Dicks Sporting Goods Park—Commerce City, Colorado

TV Information: AltitudeTV

Radio: 92.5 FM

Live Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)

C38 Tailgate: 4 p.m. for Jameson’s Night