
Rapids Return from International Break with Matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps
June 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids (2-9-7, 13 pts) return home to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5-5-7, 22 pts) at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park this Wednesday, June 21, for Matchday 20 (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
Wednesday's encounter will kick off a home stand that will see the Rapids play five of their next six matches at home. After a bye week due to the international window, Colorado will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat on the road to Orlando City SC on June 10, a match that saw the Burgundy Boys reduced to nine-man after winger Braian Galván and defender Lalas Abubakar were sent off on either side of halftime. The duo will be unavailable for Wednesday's clash, along with midfielder Bryan Acosta who is with the Honduran national team ahead of their 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup run.
Midfielder Connor Ronan currently leads the Rapids with seven goal contributions on the season (one goal, six assists). The Irish international has played a pivotal role in helping cover the void left by club captain Jack Price who suffered torn Achilles early in March and became the first player since Price in 2019 to record three assists in a single match.
Vancouver's defense started the season strong, recording four shutouts through their first nine league matches, but the club has not kept a clean sheet in league play since May 20. On the offensive end, the Canadian side has logged at least one goal in their last 11 matches across all competitions-the last time they failed to find the back of the net was their 0-0 home draw with the Rapids on April 29. Forward Brian White leads the team with six goals, while midfielder Julian Gressel has been the top assist provider with five on the year. Whitecaps FC captain and midfielder Ryan Gauld enters the match on a streak after scoring in four of the club's last four matches, including a game-tying goal against league-leading FC Cincinnati in their most recent encounter.
Wednesday's night will also celebrate the Rapids annual Pride Night in continuation of the club's month-long Pride initiative for June. The two teams will wear Pride tops during warmups before the match that will be auctioned off to benefit You Can Play Project, a nonprofit that works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all LGBTQ people in sports. Custom Pride boots donated by adidas and signed by the entire Rapids team will be up for auction starting on Wednesday, with proceeds going to Athlete Ally, an organization dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport. The club will also be giving out free 'Love Unites' postcards designed by local artist Pat Milbery as part of the night's activations.
Major League Soccer Stories from June 21, 2023
- FC Cincinnati Continue Home Dominance with 3-0 Win Over Toronto FC - FC Cincinnati
- Atlanta United Draws 2-2 vs. New York City FC - Atlanta United FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Falls 3-1 to Real Salt Lake - St. Louis City SC
- CF Montréal Blank Nashville SC 1-0 - Club de Foot Montreal
- Real Salt Lake Vanquish West Leaders with 3-1 Road Victory - Real Salt Lake
- Nashville Soccer Club Falls 1-0 at CF Montréal - Nashville SC
- Nashville Soccer Club Falls 1-0 at CF Montréal - Nashville SC
- McGuire and Ojeda Score as Orlando City Draws Philadelphia on Wednesday - Orlando City SC
- FC Cincinnati (3) - Toronto FC (0) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC
- NYCFC Draws Atlanta United 2-2 - New York City FC
- Martínez Scores First MLS Goal - Philadelphia Union
- Full Time: Charlotte FC Let Lead Slip, Settle for 2-2 Draw Against Red Bulls - Charlotte FC
- Houston Dynamo FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes Match Paused Due to Inclement Weather - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Dallas Recalls Defender Collin Smith from Loan with Birmingham Legion FC - FC Dallas
- LAFC Signs South Gate Native and Former Academy Player Diego Rosales to Homegrown Contract - Los Angeles FC
- CF Montréal Academy's U15 Team to Play in MLS Next Cup Semifinals - Club de Foot Montreal
- Rapids Return from International Break with Matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps - Colorado Rapids
- LA Galaxy Host Sporting Kansas City at Dignity Health Sports Park Tonight, Wednesday, June 21 - LA Galaxy
- International Duty: Herons in Action in June International Window - Inter Miami CF
- Inter Miami CF to Visit Subaru Park to Face Philadelphia Union on Saturday - Inter Miami CF
- New York Red Bulls Sign NYRB II Defender Omar Valencia on a Short-Term Agreement for Both Matches this Week - New York Red Bulls
- Earthquakes Announce Activations Ahead of Women's Soccer Celebration Night - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sounders FC Faces LAFC Wednesday Evening at BMO Stadium - Seattle Sounders FC
- Chicago Fire FC Signs Defender Charlie Ostrem to Short-Term Agreement - Chicago Fire FC
- LAFC Exercises Option for Francisco Ginella - Los Angeles FC
- LA Galaxy Forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernández Placed on Season-Ending Injury List - LA Galaxy
- Crew Host Soccer for All Match vs. Nashville SC - Columbus Crew SC
- Toronto FC Sign Goalkeeper Luka Gavran to Short-Term Agreement - Toronto FC
- Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 20 - MLS
- FC Cincinnati Add Bret Halsey to First Team Roster Ahead of Match vs Toronto FC - FC Cincinnati
- Injury Report: Trio Miss Atlanta Trip - New York City FC
- Atlanta United Signs Luke Brennan and Nick Firmino to Short-Term Agreements - Atlanta United FC
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- Aaron Herrera Named to Guatemala Roster for 2023 Gold Cup - Club de Foot Montreal
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- Beyond the Pitch: Leagues Cup 2023 Aims to Score Big against Food Insecurity with United against Hunger Initiative - MLS
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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