Here are 10 things of note that we learned from the Colorado Rapids' 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday.
1. This was the first time since September 24, 2016, and a 3-3 tie at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, that the Rapids had given up more than two goals in a game.
2. Only twice in 2016 did the Rapids concede more than two goals in a game - the 3-3 outcome listed above, plus the 5-1 loss at New York City FC on July 30.
3.Kevin Doyle is now two for two from the penalty spot, after converting his stoppage-time spot-kick at Children’s Mercy Park. He also netted against San Jose Earthquakes on October 13 last year in a 2-1 home win.
4. Trinidad and Tobago international defender Mekeil Williams switched sides on Sunday, playing at left back, having played at right back in the 2-2 home tie with Minnesota United FC in the previous outing. This is the first time Williams had made successive starts since featuring at Yankee Stadium last July.
5. Defender Eric Miller made his 50th start in MLS with the game at Sporting Kansas City. He has made a total of 59 league appearances.
6. For Marlon Hairston, Sunday’s game represented his 50th appearance in MLS, since making his debut as an 88th minute substitute against Sporting Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on March 29, 2014.
7.Bismark ‘Nana’ Adjei-Boateng started a MLS game for the first time. He is the first Ghanaian to start a game for the Rapids since Junior Agogo in 2001.
8. Homegrown player Kortne Ford made his first MLS appearance and first start, in the testing environment of Children’s Mercy Park.
9. Ford was joined in the 18 by his former University of Denver teammate, Sam Hamilton. Hamilton and Mike da Fonte were both in the gameday squad for the first time.
10. Through four games, the Rapids have four points and four goals. They have given up six goals. It took them until the eighth game of the 2016 season to concede as many.
