MLS Colorado Rapids

News & Notes from Week 12: Open Cup Highs, Milestones and a Cross-Conference Showdown

Published on May 11, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


GOING ON A RUN

With their 3-1 road win against the LA Galaxy last weekend, the Rapids extended their current unbeaten run in MLS to seven games (2-0-5); across all competitions, the Burgundy Boys have not seen defeat in nine games (4-0-5).

BUT CAN THEY DO IT ON A COLD, WINDY NIGHT AT ALTITUDE?

The Rapids currently hold one of the best run of forms at home in MLS over recent years: since 2021, Colorado is tied for the fewest losses at home in the league (4).

Fewest losses at home in MLS since 2021:

Colorado Rapids - 4

Philadelphia Union - 4

Los Angeles Football Club - 5

Three teams tied - 6

YAPI EARNS CALL UP FOR U-20 WORLD CUP

On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer announced that Rapids homegrown forward Darren Yapi was named to the U.S. roster that will compete in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

A product of the Rapids Academy, Yapi became the youngest player in club history to sign a professional contract with the Rapids when he became a Homegrown Player at age 16. The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on March 12, 2022, and has gone on to make 21 appearances for the Rapids since then, while also contributing to the club's MLS NEXT Pro side, Rapids 2, with six goals from 16 appearances during their inaugural season in 2022.

Yapi first made his previous international debut with the U.S. U-17 youth national team during the UEFA Development Tourna- ment in February 2020, featuring in all three of the United States' matches during the competition.

GO, JONNY, GO

With his goal in the Rapids' 4-2 U.S. Open Cup win against Sacramento Republic FC on Tuesday, Jonathan Lewis has now logged four goals from his past three appearances in Burgundy across all competitions.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A SAVE

With the Rapids' victory against LA this past weekend, goalkeeper William Yarbrough collected his 36th win in Burgundy, surpassing Clint Irwin for third-most wins by a goalkeeper in club history. Yarbrough recently recorded his 30th career shutout, which set a new club record for most clean sheets all-time. The two-time Liga MX champion currently ranks fourth all-time for most regular-season appearances by a Rapids goalkeeper (92).

RISING RUBIO

Rapids forward Diego Rubio enters Saturday's contest with one goal and three assists from his past five games. During that stretch, the Chilean international surpassed Adrian Paz for seventh-most assists (regular season) in Rapids history and is

one assist away from tying Dillon Powers for sixth-most. Rubio recently recorded his 100th regular-season appearance in Burgundy, becoming just the fourth forward in club history to reach that tally. His 36 goals as a member of the Rapids are one away from tying John Spencer for fourth-most goals scored in club history (regular season).

Rubio, 29, enjoyed a career year in 2022 in which he equaled the Rapids' all-time, single-season scoring record (16 goals) and set a new record for most goal contributions in a season in club history (23; 16 goals, 7 assists). His 61 goal contribu- tions across all competitions (34 goals, 27 assists) in his career with Colorado are tied with Paul Bravo for the fourth most in club history.

CLUB CONNECTIONS

Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a product of Philadelphia Union's youth academy. He made his MLS debut with their senior side in 2016 and was the only outfield player in MLS that year to play every minute of the season. In all, Rosenberry featured 80 times for Philadelphia, logging three goals and five assists across his three seasons with the Eastern Conference club.

Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis and Philadelphia Union midfielder Andrés Perea both featured in the the USMNT's 7-0 victory over Trinidad on February 1, 2021.

Union forward Mikael Uhre and Rapids defender Andreas Maxsø were teammates at Brøndby IF from 2019 to 2022. Both natives of Denmark, the two were on the gameday roster for the country's World Cup qualifier against Scotland on November 15, 2021.

Rapids defenders Lalas Abubakar and Aboubacar Keita, along with Union goalkeeper Joe Bendik, were all team- mates with Columbus Crew in 2019.

Union goalkeeper Joe Bendik was a member of Toronto FC in 2015 alongside Rapids head coach Robin Fraser who was then one of the club's assistant coaches.

Rapids midfielder Danny Leyva and Union midfielder Jack McGlynn both featured for the U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National team in their international friendly against Brazil's U-18 national team on November 11, 2021.

MILESTONE TRACKER

F Diego Rubio is one goal away from tying John Spencer for fourth-most goals in club history (37).

Rubio is one assist away from tying Dillon Powers for sixth-most in club history (26).

Rubio is one game-winning assist away from tying Ross Paule for the third most in club history (9).

M Sam Nicholson is three minutes away from reaching 5,000 minutes as a member of the Rapids. He would be-

come the ninth active member on the roster to register a minimum of 5,000 minutes with the club.

D Keegan Rosenberry is one start away from recording his 200th start in MLS.

*Unless noted otherwise, all markers above encompass MLS regular season only

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