KANSAS CITY, MO – In search of their first road win of the season, the Colorado Rapids (2-2-0) will travel to Missouri this week to face Sporting Kansas City (1-1-2). The match is set for Saturday, March 21, with kickoff at 6:30p.m. at Sporting Park.
The Rapids have yet to secure a victory away from home this season, suffering losses to Seattle in Week 1 and New York City FC last weekend after a two-match home winning streak.
Last weekend’s 3-1 loss to New York City FC produced a Rapids’ lone goal from striker Darren Yapi, bringing the club’s season total to seven points across all competitions.
“We have two wins out, two at home. Now we have to find the formula away from home,” said head coach Matt Wells.
Wells credited Kansas City for its organization, referring to the club as a “different challenge” in comparison to past opponents this season. However, he emphasized that avoiding turnovers and maintaining team composure will be key if the young Colorado team hopes to secure the win.
Statistically, Colorado holds the advantage in several categories. The club leads the matchup in shots (12.8-7), shots on goal (5.3-3), total passes (533-417.8) and aerial duels won (53-37). The Rapids will also enter the match with 6.2 expected goals, compared to Kansas City having 2.6.
After missing two matches due to a shoulder injury, captain goalkeeper Zack Steffen returned to full training this week and is expected to be available for Saturday’s match. Midfielder Connor Ronan remains out but is reportedly responding well to rehabilitation efforts and could return Saturday, April 4, when the team faces Toronto, according to Wells.
It was a big week in the Rapids newsroom. The club announced earlier this week that 18-year-old Lucas Herrington has been called up to the Australian Men’s National Team. He will join the squad to play under Head Coach Tony Popovic from Sunday, March 22, through Wednesday, April 11. The CommBank Socceroos will face Cameroon on Friday, March 27, in Sydney, marking Herrington’s first call-up to the senior national team.
“We’re very happy for him,” Wells said. “Always great when the players get to represent their country, especially someone like Lucas, who is so young. Getting that first call-up to the senior squad is recognition of the hard work he’s put in here, but it’s recognition of the work we’re doing here and I’m glad it’s allowed him to see his potential and ability.”
Before departing Sunday, Herrington is expected to be on the opening roster this weekend.
Herrington made an early impact this season, securing a 2-0 lead for the Rapids during the home opener against Portland, where he scored his first MLS goal of the season and only the club’s second goal of the season at the time.
The club will be welcoming back 19-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper, but Missouri native, Adam Beaudry, after recalling his loan to USL Championship club Loudoun United FC. Beaudry was originally loaned to the team prior to the start of the 2026 season.
“He is a great character, great mentality and trains really well,” Wells said. “We’re at a good place in terms of the training level and the application.”
Wells has yet to announce the starting roster for the match and is adamant that final changes may occur. He is known for his dynamic roster and frequent use of in-game substitutions which make the starting 11 positions unable to fully predict.
“I’m still very unsure of the team,” Wells said Thursday. “I changed (the starting roster) a little bit last night. I’m sure I’ll change it again after today’s training and then we have one more session to finalize things.”
Saturday’s match will include a reunion. Kansas City forward Calvin Harris signed an 18-month deal with the club earlier this year after spending many seasons with the Rapids.
“We had a really great relationship in his years that he was here and it’ll just be good to see him again,” Yapi said. “But, it’ll be good to definitely just go out there and beat him and then have a nice little conversation after.”
