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Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Preview & Media Assets

June 2, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids (2-8-6, 12 pts) host the San Jose Earthquakes (6-5-4, 22 pts) at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park this Saturday, June 3, for Matchday 17 (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV - Free, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).

The Rapids look to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Crew on the road on Wednesday and return to the home form the saw the side lose only four games at DSGP in the previous three seasons (22-4-14). Sam Nicholson put the Rapids ahead just nine minutes into the game against the Crew, marking the fastest goal the club has scored in a game this season. Midfielder Cole Bassett, making his second appearance following a hamstring injury sustained in April, then added a stunner in stoppage time to cut the deficit to one in an unsuccessful comeback effort. With Bassett's goal, the Rapids are second in MLS in most goals scored by a substitute with six, trailing Atlanta United's seven. After missing the game against the Crew due to yellow-card accumulation, forward Kévin Cabral will be available for selection against San Jose on Saturday.

Wednesday's match also saw goalkeeper Marko Ilić make his MLS debut since joining the club on loan this past offseason from Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk. Midfielder Marlon Vargas and forward Rémi Cabral, both called up on a Short-Term Agreement from the Rapids' MLS NEXT Pro squad for Wednesday's match, made their MLS debuts against the Crew, as well.

Rapids midfielder Connor Ronan has been a bright spot for Colorado since joining the club from England's Wolverhampton Wanderers FC this past offseason on a four-year deal. The Irish international has recorded one goal and six assists through his first 16 games in Burgundy, including one goal and five assists in his last six league appearances. His six assists this season are currently tied for fourth-most in the league. Ronan has been involved in all of the Rapids' last six MLS goals (one goal, five assists), which included a three-assist game against the LA Galaxy that saw Ronan become the first Rapids player since Jack Price in 2019 to log three assists in a single game.

The Earthquakes enter Saturday's game with one win in their last four matches, but unbeaten in their last two. San Jose faced Colorado earlier in the season at PayPal Park in a match that saw Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza score the game-winning goal in a 1-0 loss for the Rapids. Espinoza leads the team in goals and assists with eight and four, respectively, and has scored the sixth-most goals in the league. Forward Jeremy Ebobisse has recorded six goals and two assists, scoring the game-winning goal in San Jose's last match, a 1-0 win on the road against Seattle Sounders FC. Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel, who underwent knee surgery in March, made his return in San Jose's last two games. His eight-save shutout performance against Seattle earned him a spot on the most recent Team of the Matchday.

In recent history, Colorado has fared well against San Jose at home. The Rapids have won six of their last seven games against the Earthquakes at home and have not lost to the Northern California side at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in eleven consecutive games; their last defeat to the Quakes at home was a 2-1 loss in 2013. In the most recent matchup between the two teams at DSGP, Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry scored a late game-winner to give his side a 2-1 win after forward Diego Rubio opened the scoring 21 minutes into the game.

Saturday's match will also mark the Rapids' first postgame fireworks show of the summer. Fans are invited to come down to the stadium pitch following the match to enjoy the spectacle.

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