One week after recording a commanding shutout against Atlanta United FC, the Rapids earned a second clean sheet at home against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night after Diego Rubio and Mark-Anthony Kaye found the back of the net. The 2-0 victory moves Colorado to 2-1-0 on the season.
Rubio commandeered the lead first for the Rapids for the second week in a row, as he connected with Lucas Esteves for the first goal of the night. Esteves’ run into the final third and smart cut inside of his defender, Johnny Russell, set up a perfect split pass between Sporting’s Fontas and Ndenbe to find Rubio right at the top of the box. Rubio handled his one-on-one with Tim Melia with ease as he chose the left corner to place his shot and give the Rapids the upper hand.
The Chilean striker's goal was his third goal contribution in two games after he scored and recorded an assist in the Rapids' 3-0 victory over the Five Stripes last week. His efforts in the home opener against Atlanta earned him a spot on MLS's Team of the Week.
"He's trained extremely hard, he's very fit, and because he's playing well he's confident," said head coach Robin Fraser after the match of Rubio. "Diego helps us in so many areas of the field, he helps us build out, he helps us hold the ball, he's a good passer. But the thing that he's really determined this year is to do all of that and get back in front of the goal. And over the last two games we've seen a really, really good version of Diego where he helps all over the field, but us still a goal threat constantly whether he himself or putting passes into dangerous areas, so he sees in very good form right now."
It wasn't until the second half that Colorado found the back of the net again when Kaye, Steven Beitashour and captain Jack Price connected to double the Rapids' lead. In the 51st minute, Beitashour expertly brought down Price's deep corner to make a one-touch assist for Kaye's flicking shot––a non-goal-facing, outside of the foot tap that surprised Sporting's back line when it hit the net.
Kaye earned the Man of the Match honor for his performance at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park on Saturday.
Sporting outshot Colorado 13 to nine on Saturday night, but none of SKC’s chances were enough to slip past goalkeeper William Yarbrough, who recorded four saves on the night, including a goal-line grab following a corner-induced scramble in the box. The Aguascalientes native's second shutout of the season in three games creates hope for a repeat of his accomplishments in 2021, when he led the Rapids to 13 clean sheets.
Saturday’s matchup saw old and new familiar faces take to the pitch: 17-year-old Rapids’ Homegrown striker Darren Yapi made his MLS debut and fellow Homegrown Kortne Ford made his debut with Sporting after departing the Rapids and signing with SKC in January 2022. Yapi, who made Rapids history in 2021 when he became the youngest player ever to sign professional contract with the club (16 years, 104 days), subbed in for Michael Barrios in the 88th minute for his first professional appearance in burgundy. Ford's debut with Sporting comes after a long history with Colorado––one that includes his first goal scored in MLS against his current club in 2017.
"Yapi's an amazing kid, I think he has incredible potential and I was just trying to be in his ear when the ball came around him––hes a big guy, and don't play timid because I think he can go places," said Kaye after the match.
The result moves the Rapids one step closer to matching the regular season 19-match unbeaten streak at home that took place from March 2016 to March 2017. Their current 18-game streak has been held since a 3-2 victory over Minnesota in May 2021. Auston Trusty also recorded his 100th MLS appearance in the shutout.
Up next, the Rapids will travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo at PNC Stadium for their second road match of 2022.
