Storyline to Watch
Despite recent loss, Sporting Kansas City remains one of the top teams in MLS so far this season.
Since the last time the Rapids and SKC met on March 24, Sporting Kansas City have gone 3-1-1, dispatching D.C. United, LA Galaxy, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC along the way. Peter Vermes' men remain atop the West despite last weekend's controversial 1-0 loss against NE Revolution that ended Sporting's seven-game unbeaten streak. The loss was SKC's first since their Season Opener against NYCFC. Heading into Week 10, Sporting has the third highest amount of points in Major League Soccer, and sits fifth with 1.89 points per game behind Atlanta United FC, NYCFC, LAFC and Orlando City SC.
SKC will be without Felipe Gutierrez this weekend...
Sporting Kansas City's midfielder Felipe Gutierrez underwent successful sports hernia surgery on May 1 and will be sidelined for two to three months. The Chilean international has made an immediate impact in SKC's offense scoring five goals in his first five matches, including the opener for SKC in the 57th minute against the Rapids on March 24. However, since leaving injured in the 53rd minute of a 1-0 home victory against D.C. United on March 31, Gutierrez has only appeared once as a sub. Yohan Croizet has started in the 27-year-old's absence, and will likely start against the Rapids on Saturday.
Player to Watch: Johnny Russell
Johnny Russell is turning out to be a major contributor for Sporting Kansas City early in 2018, finding the net five times in nine games. Three of those goals came with the Scotsman's first MLS hat trick on April 20 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Russell set the tone for the night in the 10th minute by beating Whitecaps' keeper Stefan Marinovic. Just six minutes later the 28-year-old added a second, and then ensured three points were wrapped up by capping off his hat trick just after the halftime.
“He’s a huge part of our team," Sporting KC's captain Matt Besler said following the match. “We’re lucky to have him. I’m glad that he’s here in Kansas City, and I’m glad that he had such a good night for us.”
The winger, known for his solid attacking qualities, was brought to Kansas City after spending his professional career in the United Kingdom. One of of the few familiar faces Russell will spot from past battles on the pitch will be Tommy Smith. The two played against each other in a handful of games when Smith and Russell played for Ipswich Town and Derby County respectfully.
"He's a very talented footballer," said Smith. "He's shown that already in his short time in MLS. He's obviously one of their important players, but I think last time we played them we kept him fairly quiet, so hopefully we can do the same this time around."
Russell and Danny Wilson also faced one another, when Russell was at Dundee United and Wilson with Heart of Midlothian.
Given Russell's success so far in 2018, and because Peter Vermes has started him in every game this season, expect to see Russell present in SKC's attack against the Rapids.
Sporting Kansas City vs Colorado Rapids - Head-to-Head
The last time the two sides met was in the Rapids' 2018 Home Opener, a game that resulted in a 2-2 draw after SKC equalized through Diego Rubio's stoppage time goal. Sporting currently sits at the top of the West with a 5-2-2 overall record. In the meantime, the Rapids are coming off back-to-back losses againstReal Salt Lake and Orlando City SC that sees their season record sit at 2-3-2 overall.
Despite Sporting KC’s edge in the head-to-head series at home, the Rapids have won a match in front of SKC’s home crowd in two of the last three seasons.
- Head-to-Head Overall: Sporting Kansas City 24 wins, 99 goals | Colorado Rapids 23 wins, 82 goals | 14 ties
- Head-to-head at Sporting: Sporting Kansas City 19 wins, 61 goals | Colorado Rapids 5 wins, 30 goals | 5 ties
- Head-to-head Previous Meeting: Colorado Rapids 2, Sporting Kansas City 2 (March 24, 2018)
