A fellow MLS original comes to town this weekend to renew one of the oldest rivalries in the league. Originally the Wiz, then the Wizards, and now Sporting Kansas City, the neighbors down I-70 make their annual trip to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
They do so in a similar run of form as the Colorado Rapids. Like the Rapids, SKC lost on the road in the season opener before pitching a shutout and winning in their home opener the following weekend.
Sporting KC dispatched the Houston Dynamo 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park on the back of a Remi Walter goal in the second half. Both teams currently sit above the red line for playoff qualification with their three points from two matches.
The visitors begin 2022 with high but tempered hopes. Mexican striker Alan Pulido was ruled out for the entire season after having knee surgery to repair damage he suffered with the Mexican National Team last year. Despite this, they still have one of the most talented rosters in MLS. General Manager and head coach Peter Vermes is the longest-tenured bench boss in MLS, and he knows how to put together a team. But it’s still worth watching how the absence of their superstar striker affects them throughout the year.
They’ve consistently been one of the best teams in MLS under Vermes’ stewardship, evidenced by an MLS Cup victory in 2013. But in the last few years, they’ve been close but just a step behind. They’ve exited the playoffs with home losses to Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United FC and the Portland Timbers.
Without Pulido to contribute, I’m not sure they’re threats for MLS Cup but they are talented, savvy and full of players who know and understand MLS, and they still have one of the better goalkeepers in Tim Melia. They may not win MLS Cup, but they can still ruin your day. Here’s how the Rapids can be the ones celebrating another three points at DSGP.
1) Ride the Rubio Wave
The Rapids put three goals past Atlanta United in their home opener thanks to superb play from Chilean forward Diego Rubio, who had the game-winning goal and assist on Jonathan Lewis’s goal. Sporting KC just happens to be his former club so you can expect an extra dash of intensity from him on Saturday. Lean on his ability to dig out balls, make incisive runs and beat his man one-on-one. He’s the hot hand, see what he can do.
2) Win the Midfield
Sporting KC have a number of midfielders they believe in. They lost their Spaniard, Ilie, to LAFC in the offseason but they still have Roger Espinoza, Remi Walter, Gadi Kinda, Felipe Hernandez and Uri Rosell. They’re all familiar with the 4-3-3 pressing system Vermes has always run. Everybody knows their job. The Rapids can counter this with precision passing, a little physicality and cutting off passing lanes. Like Atlanta, SKC want the ball, but not all possession is created equal. The Rapids stymied the Five Stripes’ attack by suffocating the midfield and denying passing lanes.Â
3) Embrace the Grind
Every time these two teams play, there always seems to be a confrontation or two. Players from each team are experts at getting in the heads of their opponents, experts at the gamesmanship side of soccer and not afraid to embrace soccer as a contact sport. There will undoubtedly be some heavy challenges, a few late kicks and 90 minutes of each side trying to mentally and physically wear down the other. Embrace that. Ignore the noise and extracurriculars, enforce the style of play you want and dictate the match. This game may very well come down to a set piece play where whoever wants it more is going to be the one winning the match-up.
