The Colorado Rapids fell to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park, with both teams falling to just nine men a side in the waning moments of the game after numerous red cards were issued. The result takes Colorado to 4-5-3 on the season.
Midfielder captain Jack Price made his first start since April 23 after taking time off for a hamstring injury against Charlotte FC, playing the first 45 against SKC.
"We're always gonna create chances to score goals and maybe we just didn't do as much of that tonight, but if you keep the game tight, you always have a chance," he said postgame. "We've just got to transform our home performances to away performances because for us nothing changes, we have to continue to be us and I'm sure those wins will start coming if we if we do so."
Sporting KC got on the board first in the 24th minute when Daniel Salloi took advantage of a quick set piece taken in the Rapids’ defensive third and slotted a shot past William Yarbrough.
Colorado tied the score in the 29th minute as defender Auston Trusty drove into the box and sent a cross into the six, where SKC’s Tim Melia was unable to collect and Gyasi Zardes took a quick touch back that Lucas Esteves collected to put away in the back of the net. The Brazilian’s goal marks his first of the 2022 season.
Sporting earned the game-winner just minutes into the second half when Salloi’s charge into the box beat Yarbrough near post to give the SKC striker a brace. The 50th minute goal remained the last of the night as the Rapids were unable to equalize.
"I thought the goal that we scored was a good example of being patient, moving them around, creating an opportunity that we can exploit with that patience and methodical approach to score the goal," said Rapids head coach Robin Fraser postgame. "In the second half, I felt like we didn't have the same level of patience and ideas going forward. They did whatever they needed to do to get the three points and they certainly did. But for us it was definitely over the course of 90 minutes not quite patient enough."
Colorado will return home to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park for two consecutive home matches against reigning Concacaf Champions League victors Seattle Sounders and recent Western Conference additions Nashville SC. Sunday's game with Seattle will be available on Altitude TV and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM. Kickoff is set for 6:00.
