The Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon in the first matchup of the Desert Showcase, presented by Visit Tucson.
Two teams expected to be in the playoff hunt in the MLS Western Conference had chances to open the scoring throughout a physical contest but neither side was able to break through. The sides were even during a chippy first half, and not much was generated on goal to trouble either goalkeeper. There was a change in tempo after the halftime break with each side making a full lineup swap, Sporting KC at halftime, the Rapids at the hour mark.
"Defensively, we kind of did everything we wanted to do," said Rapids' head coach Robin Fraser. "I thought we defended well, whether we were set defending or in late in the half, we pushed up and really started to get pressure to them. It's early in the season, first time against a competitive team. I'm not that concerned about that, because I know that we can play. And we know the right choices to make."
In the first half, the duo of Michael Barrios and Diego Rubio created a couple quality chances, the best one coming just before the break but it ultimately went wide of the frame.
Following the second half substitutions, the Rapids were dominant and probably unlucky to not find the back of the net. Homegrown striker Darren Yapi had several chances and nearly found success in the box, forcing a few saves. Midfielder and 2021 SuperDraft pick Philip Mayaka impressed in the final half-hour. He was joined on the field by 2022 draft picks Mohamed Omar, Roberto Molina and Anthony Markanich, who made their club debuts.
"I thought the second group did well," said Fraser. "Where we defended in our block, I thought we were pretty competent, then we decided to push up like we did in the end of the first half. I thought we did a good job then and really kind of took the game over at that point."
Goalkeepers Clint Irwin and William Yarbrough both saw time in the Rapids' net, as Irwin kept the first half scoreless and Yarbrough saw the shoutout to the final whistle.
Next up for the Rapids is a closed-door match against Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday afternoon. Follow @ColoradoRapids on social and check back to ColoradoRapids.com for all of the 2022 preseason coverage from Tucson.
Starting XI: Clint Irwin (GK), Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Lalas Abubakar, Diego Rubio, Michael Barrios, Jack Price (C), Oliver Larraz, Collen Warner, Lucas Esteves
Substitutes:
William Yarbrough (46’), Drew Moor (62’), Philip Mayaka (62’), Nicolás Mezquida, Sebastian Anderson (62’), Abraham Rodriguez, Anthony Markanich (62’), Steven Beitashour (62’), Michael Edwards (62’), Dantouma Toure (62’), Roberto Molina (62’), Darren Yapi (62’), Mohamed Omar (62’), Robinson Aguirre, Daniel Garcia, Connor Miller, Isaac Nehme
