Rapids vs Sporting KC: Starting XI Leaks & Major Injury Shakeups
Colorado Rapids Match Preview: Everything You Need to Know for Saturday’s Game
What’s Happening?
The Colorado Rapids are getting ready to play a home game this Saturday! Think of this like a "game day program" that tells you who’s playing, what’s special about this match, and how you can watch or listen.
The Starting Lineup (The "Starting XI")
These are the 11 players who will be on the field when the whistle blows to start the game. Like picking your team for kickball at recess—these are the first ones out there!
| Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Nico Hansen |
| Defenders | Reggie Cannon, Loïc Williams, Rob Holding, Miguel Navarro |
| Midfielders | Josh Atencio, Wayne Frederick, Dante Sealy |
| Forwards | Paxten Aaronson, Georgi Minoungou, Rafael Navarro (Captain) |
ELI5 Note: The "(C)" next to Rafael Navarro means he’s the Captain—the team leader who wears the special armband and talks to the referee.
The Bench (Substitutes)
These 9 players start the game sitting on the sideline. They’re like "backup players" ready to jump in if someone gets tired, hurt, or if the coach wants to change the game plan.
- Adam Beaudry (Goalkeeper)
- Keegan Rosenberry
- Hamzat Ojediran
- Alex Harris
- Noah Cobb
- Donavan Phillip
- Kosi Thompson
- Darren Yapi
- Youssef Maziz <– Special note below!
Important Things to Know (Roster Notes)
[!IMPORTANT]
Three big storylines for this match:
1. Maziz Makes His Debut!
Youssef Maziz signed with the team in July, but this is the first time he’s on the game roster. He’ll be waiting on the bench for his chance to play his first minutes in a Rapids jersey.
2. Navarro Chasing History
Captain Rafael Navarro (age 36) needs just ONE goal to tie John Spencer for 5th place on the club’s all-time scoring list!
- He moved into 5th place after scoring against Austin FC on August 1st
- Could Saturday be the night he ties the record?
3. Rosenberry’s 200th Game Celebration
Defender Keegan Rosenberry played his 200th game for the Rapids on August 1st against Austin FC. The club will hold a special pregame ceremony to honor this milestone!
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Where | DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado |
| When | Saturday, August 15 @ 7:30 p.m. MT |
How to Follow the Game
Listen Live
- Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 → altitudesportsradio.com
Social Media Updates
- Follow @ColoradoRapids on all platforms for live updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content
Summary
- 11 starters take the field led by Captain Rafael Navarro
- 9 substitutes wait on the bench, including debutant Youssef Maziz
- Navarro is 1 goal away from tying the club’s 5th all-time scoring record
- Rosenberry will be honored for his 200th Rapids appearance pregame
- Game kicks off Saturday at 7:30 PM at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park
- Listen on 92.5 FM or follow @ColoradoRapids online
FAQ (Questions You Might Have)
1. What does "Starting XI" mean?
"XI" is the Roman numeral for 11. So "Starting XI" just means the 11 players who start the game on the field. Every soccer team has 11 players at a time (10 field players + 1 goalkeeper).
2. Can substitutes come in whenever they want?
Not exactly! The coach decides when to make a substitution (swap). Teams usually get 5 substitution opportunities per game (though rules can vary). Once a player comes off, they cannot come back on.
3. Why is Rafael Navarro the captain?
The captain is usually a respected, experienced leader. Navarro is 36, has scored tons of goals for the club, and leads by example. The armband lets the referee know who to talk to if there’s a question.
4. What’s so special about 200 appearances?
Playing 200 games for one club shows loyalty, durability, and quality. Most players move teams more often. Rosenberry has been a consistent starter for years—that’s rare and impressive!
5. What time is 7:30 p.m. MT in my time zone?
- MT = Mountain Time (Colorado’s time zone)
- PT (West Coast): 6:30 PM
- CT (Central): 8:30 PM
- ET (East Coast): 9:30 PM
- UK/BST: 2:30 AM (Sunday)
- Check a time zone converter for your exact location!
Enjoy the match! Go Rapids!