On Wednesday, the Rapids face a difficult test as they take on Sporting Kansas City. Currently in the standings, the Rapids sit in third with 16 points in eight games. Sporting is right above Colorado, with 17 total points in 10 games played. This match will not only have implications in the Western Conference standings, but there is a storied history between these two clubs, so the rivalry is expected to be on full display as well. See the lineups below:
Starting XI: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Sam Vines, Kellyn Acosta, Jack Price, Cole Bassett, Michael Barrios, Diego Rubio
Bench: Nicolas Benezet, Braian Galvan, Clint Irwin, Oliver Larraz, Jonathan Lewis, Nicolas Mezquida, Drew Moor, Andre Shinyashiki, Collen Warner
The Rapids are going with three center backs in Abubakar, Wilson and Trusty for the third time this year, using Rosenberry and Vines as wingbacks. This is the same starting lineup that led the Rapids to victory in Cincinnati only a few days ago.
1' - Aaaaand we're off! The Rapids are in their all-burgundy kits tonight for the first time all season
4' - The Rapids get their first string of possession in the Sporting half of the field, getting both Keegan Rosenberry and Sam Vines involved on the wings so far, providing good width.
7' - Shelton gets past Wilson in the center of the pitch and goes 1-on-1 with William Yarbrough. Shelton takes a touch that's just a bit too big and Yarbrough makes a great decision coming out to collect the ball and put a prompt end to the offensive break.
8' - Rosenberry starts an offensive break with a great ball to Rubio who does what he does best: comes back for the ball, holds it for a minute and turns and plays on Michael Barrios, who is streaking onto the ball. Barrios cross is intended for Bassett, but he doesn't quite find him. That was a great offensive break and a dangerous opportunity.
15' - GOAL - Russell takes it to the touchline and crosses it back to Salloi, who hits it first time. 1-0 SKC.
24' - Vines carries it from outside the box all the way into the six, and his cross is picked up by the SKC 'keeper. The Rapids are slowly getting into their rhythm. They struggled earlier this season and last year with giving up multiple goals in quick succession, so navigating out of these first few minutes since Sporting scored is a huge step.
28' - Russell finds Salloi once again who is open on the left side facing the goal, but Yarbrough makes a good play coming out to shut it down.
34' - Rosenberry is playing well on the offensive half of the field tonight. On this play, he finds Barrios, who fires a shot (or a cross) that the Rapids aren't quite able to get a head on before the 'keeper comes out. The Rapids are at their best on offense when Rosenberry and Vines are a part of these attacks.
36' - Good strike at the top of the box from Bassett. Solid momentum for Colorado right now.
38' - GOAL - Heartbreaker, as Sporting scores in the midst of the Rapids offensive progress. Salloi sinks his second of the game, a hard near post strike from just to the side of the penalty spot. Sporting leads 2-0.
45' - To start the half, Jack Price is subbing off in exchange for Jonathan Lewis. Lewis played his best minutes of the year playing for the second 45 against FCC, so he should add a spark to the offense. With the change, Danny Wilson takes the captain's armband.
49' - It appears that the biggest formation change from the substitution comes from Cole Bassett. Bassett is playing more defensively in the midfield than his usual role following the Price substitution.
53' - Rubio takes a strike from long-range that goes just wide. It was a good look.
57' - Good defense by Auston Trusty, facing off against Alan Pulido and keeping his composure. He slows Pulido way down until Kellyn Acosta can catch up and support as well. Acosta steals the ball and takes possession.
61' - Barrios steals from Busio, and Lewis gets a shot at the top of the box, but it goes right to the 'keeper.
65' - GOAL - Salloi plays Hernandez, who hits the far post from the top of the box. 3-0 Sporting.
66' - SUBSTITUTIONS - Nicolas Mezquida comes on for Cole Bassett and Nicolas Benezet replaces Diego Rubio.
81' - SUBSTITUTION - Andre Shinyashiki comes in for Michael Barrios.
85' - GOAL - The Rapids get a set piece goal thanks largely to Lalas Abubakar. Abubakar comes in hard with a header that hits the upper cross bar and bounces back and off the knee of Keegan Rosenberry. Sporting leads 3-1.
87' - SUBSTITUTION - Danny Wilson exits the game and Braian Galvan comes in for the second time this season.
88' - Shinyashiki scores, but it is offside. Despite the offside call, it does give Colorado even more energy in the closing minutes.
