The Colorado Rapids are stuck in the spin cycle of strutting, then rutting.
A Fourth of July misfire worked against the Rapids early in Saturday’s match versus Sporting Kansas City, and cost Colorado a shot at redemption after blowing a 3-0 lead last week on the road to New England.
The final deficit was 2-1, but early momentum was thwarted when Rapids keeper Nico Hansen all but passed the ball to Kansas City’s Erik Thommy, who intercepted a short attempt from the back. He squared an easy ball to Dejan Joveljić, who tapped it in just four minutes into the match.
When conceding first, the Rapids are now 0-7-2 on the year.
“We know that most games are lost, not won, so we have to get better at not giving them away,” Rapids coach Chris Armas said. “I think (the 17,576 fans in attendance) saw a team that played proactive football in many ways. We stuck to ourselves and I think a little more intensity, a little more sprinting, a little more controlling moments and being sharper in moments, … it’s there for us.”
Thommy doubled Sporting’s lead in the 53rd minute after winning an aerial battle with Rapids right back Keegan Rosenberry — who made his first start since May 14. Thommy dribbled past a bevy of defenders and took a well-placed shot past Hansen’s outstretched left hand.
Colorado had a great chance in the first minute of the game when Calvin Harris sped off on the right side and squared a good ball to Rafael Navarro, but the Brazilian striker was a half-step behind the play and couldn’t get good contact on the shot.
Navarro came good on an 88th-minute penalty attempt, which was earned by attacking partner Darren Yapi. It’s his second straight game with a goal, the third time scoring in back-to-back games this season.
The best non-scoring chances came near halftime. Djordje Mihailovic, back from an ankle injury which kept him out of the New England game, earned a penalty in the 29th minute, but missed the attempt off the left post. SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp dove the correct way.
He hit the other post in first-half stoppage time on a one-time effort from outside the box.
Harris had arguably one of his best games of the season despite the fact he came into Saturday with two straight games in which he’d scored. Aside from the first-minute opportunity, Harris’s speed consistently bothered Kansas City’s outside backs. On multiple occasions, he drew tactical fouls resulting in yellow cards on plays he’d otherwise break away.
“It doesn’t frustrate. If anything, it motivates,” Harris said. “It’s a good sign if you have a team fouling and then (subbing) off their left back, putting another person there. So it’s more so a compliment.
“It was just one of those days where the final product didn’t come off. We had quite a few good chances, a penalty as well, which just didn’t go our way, but overall, I think we can take a lot from the game.”
When he did get on the break, he set up danger in the box, which played a massive part in the Rapids’ 25 shots (nine on target). Following a recurring trend, the Rapids again had double-digit corner kicks (10), but couldn’t convert. In basically all counting stats, the Rapids dominated. And according to MLS’s expected goals model, Colorado had 4.6 xG but only cashed once.
The result flipped last year’s matchup on the same date, when the Rapids came back from down a goal to win, 2-1.
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