KANSAS CITY, MO – Entering the match in search of their first victory away from home, the Colorado Rapids (3-2-0) turned things around, defeating Sporting Kansas City (1-3-1) on their home turf Saturday night.
Colorado entered the match coming off a 3-1 road loss to New York City FC last weekend, while Kansas City looked to build on momentum from a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy – a team the Rapids defeated 4-1 the week prior.
As the teams took the pitch at 6:30 p.m., tensions were high. Several players from both rosters are set to depart in the coming days for international call-ups, marking many final appearances with the clubs before temporarily joining their respective national teams.
The Rapids’ starting 11 featured many familiar names. Darren Yapi, Rafael Navarro and Dante Sealy secured starting forward positions, while Wayne Frederick, Paxten Aaronson and Hamzat Ojediran remained present in the midfield. In defense, Jackson Travis, Lucas Herrington, Rob Holding and Miguel Navarro made up the defensive unit, while Zack Steffen started in goal and wore the captain’s armband.
Colorado welcomed back Steffen, as the senior captain returned to the pitch after missing the team’s previous two matches due to a shoulder injury. However, the club announced earlier in the week that both Reggie Cannon and Connor Ronan would remain sidelined due to injury.
The match also marked Miguel Navarro’s first start with the Rapids after joining the club in February. He previously came on as a substitute in last weekend’s match, totalling eight minutes.
Sporting Kansas City entered the match shorthanded, missing senior defenders Jayden Reid and Zorhan Bassong. Both were marked questionable prior to the match, but neither wound up seeing the pitch.
The match opened quickly, with an early opportunity for KS forward Calvin Harris in the third minute. Harris, a former Rapid and teammate to many, was a prominent player for Sporting KC, with an additional attempt in the 17th minute.
Despite early efforts from the home team, Colorado opened the scoreboard in the 12th minute. Assisted by Yapi and R. Navarro, Aaronson found the lower right zone of the net to give the Rapids an early 1-0 lead.
With a combination of defensive shortcomings and heavy Rapids offensive pressure, Colorado remained in control most of the match, totaling 18 shots, 9 of which were on goal.
“I thought our pressure was very good tonight. Especially with Wayne (Frederick) going in as the number ten,” head coach Matt Wells said. “That really helped us get pressure on the ball.. That gave us a lot more transition moments.”
Frederick continued the early pressure with an unsuccessful shot in the ninth minute, saved by KS midfielder Jacob Bartlett.
Steffen showcased a solid performance in goal, recording two saves, including an early save on a shot from Dejan Joveljić during the 15th minute.
Continuing momentum throughout the first half, Yapi produced back-to-back shots in the 19th minute, which were saved by goalkeeper John Pulskamp and defender Ethan Bartlow. R. Navarro followed them up with another save by Bartlow.
Additional chances came for the Colorado team with an additional failed attempt in the 25th minute for R. Navarro, Ojediran in the 35th and a blocked Yapi attempt minutes following.
Both teams endured a physical first half, totaling three cards each by match’s end. Kansas City’s Manu García secured the first card minutes after kickoff, followed by Jansen Miller later in the half. Whereas Rapids’ Herrington and Holding each earned their own within the first half.
Finding the net minutes before halftime, Kansas City’s Shapi Suleymanov scored in the 44th minute with a shot to the bottom left corner of the net, assisted by Harris and a second assist from Lasse Berg Johnsen, looking to leave the first half tied.
Despite best efforts, the Rapids responded immediately, restoring their lead, when Frederick scored an unassisted goal from the center of the box at 45+2, marking his first MLS career goal and allowing the team to enter halftime leading 2-1
Kansas City began substitutions early in the second half, entering 19-year-old Kwaku Agyabeng for Wyatt Meyer.
Looking to secure his second goal both of the match and season, as well as tie up the scoreboards, Suleymanov continued to pressure the Rapids, missing an additional opportunity in the 59th minute.
Physicality continued into the second. M. Navarro received a yellow card in the 60th minute after fouling Bartlow, while Bartlett was shown a card for Kansas City in the 77th.
Wells turned to his bench in the 61st minute, bringing on Josh Atencio for Yapi. Wells is well known for his dynamic roster engagements and use of bench substitutions.
Colorado continued to push. Sealy missed an attempt during the 65th. Directly responded with a shot from Kansas City’s Johnsen in the 69th before additional substitutions allowed for Stephen Afrifa to enter the game for Suleymanovi.
Wells continued to rotate the pitch, entering Noah Cobb for Holding as the Rapids looked to maintain control.
During the 71st minute, R. Navarro was successful in his attempt, finishing a goal in the lower right zone. This goal marks a tie for the sixth-most goals in club history, with 31, tying Rapids legends Cole Bassett and Henderson.
Minutes later, Aaronson secured his second goal of the game with a goal to the lower right corner with a second assist from Sealy and an assist from R. Navarro, recording his first multi-assist game as a Rapid.
“It was obviously great getting the two goals tonight,” Aaronson said. “I wanted to be that presence in the box and I rewarded myself today with it.”
Aaronson was subbed off shortly after allowing Alexis Manyoma to enter the match alongside Keegan Rosenberry, who replaced Travis in the 79th minute.
Multiple unsuccessful finishes from both rosters in the final minutes concluded the game at 4-1
Each team generated late opportunities, but neither side was able to finish, leaving the Rapids with a 4–1 victory on the road.
Looking ahead, the Rapids will travel to BMO Field to face Toronto FC on April 4. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. The roster will be without several players due to international call-ups, including Lucas Herrington, Darren Yapi, Noah Cobb and Bryce Jamison.
