Defending champion Colorado will be without its leading scorer, Conor Casey, for the rest of the season. The striker, who turns 30 on July 25, suffered a torn left Achilles' tendon during last weekend’s game in Seattle.

Conor is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday and will be out for eight months.

He leads the Rapids with six goals this season. He scored 13 and notched six assists during the Rapids' title winning season of 2010, when he also scored twice and assisted once in the playoffs.

Offseason acquisition Caleb Folan will be expected to assume Casey’s role at target forward although Macoumba Kandji is also closing in on full fitness after a knee injury suffered during MLS Cup 2010. Quincy Amarikwa and Andre Akpan have also filled in at forward throughout an injury-riddled season for the Rapids’ striker corps.