The Colorado Rapids (7-9-5, 26 points, 8th in the West) fell 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City (6-10-5, 23 points, 10th in the West) at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. Despite controlling the match from start to finish, the Rapids were undone by an early goal and a second-half strike, with Rafael Navarro’s late penalty not enough to spark a comeback.
The Rapids delivered a high-tempo, chance-filled performance on Friday night at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, but Sporting Kansas City struck early and added a second goal after halftime to escape with a 2-1 win, despite a statistically dominant showing from the home side. The result marked SKC’s first win in Commerce City since 2014 and snapped Colorado’s two-match unbeaten streak.
Head Coach Chris Armas made several changes to the starting lineup. Djordje Mihailovic returned, Connor Ronan replaced Oliver Larraz in midfield, Jackson Travis started at left back for Sam Vines, and captain Keegan Rosenberry filled in for Reggie Cannon, who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Sporting opened the scoring just four minutes in. Erik Thommy intercepted a loose pass near the top of the box and slipped a ball through to Dejan Joveljić, who slotted a low finish past Nico Hansen.
The Rapids nearly answered in the 12th minute. After SKC missed on a cross, Colorado countered quickly, and Rafael Navarro spun away from his marker before being brought down just outside the box. That sequence kicked off sustained pressure from the home side.
In the 15th minute, Josh Atencio found Calvin Harris on the left. Harris forced a diving save from John Pulskamp, who was active early. Rosenberry followed with a strike from distance, and Chidozie Awaziem nearly scored with a header off the ensuing corner, only to be denied again by Pulskamp.
Colorado’s best chance of the half came in the 29th minute. Harris intercepted a pass and fed Ted Ku-DiPietro, who forced another save from Pulskamp. Mihailovic followed the play and was brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot. Mihailovic stepped up but his shot hit the post and bounced out.
At halftime, Colorado led in nearly every metric. The Rapids held 59 percent of possession, completed 266 passes to SKC’s 150, and had a 13-3 advantage in shots. They generated 2.4 expected goals and forced Pulskamp into four first-half saves, but still trailed 1-0.
SKC made one change at the break, bringing on 17-year-old Homegrown defender Ian James for Fernández, who was on a yellow. Colorado started the second half on the front foot. Seconds in, Mihailovic lofted a ball over the top to Harris, who squared it to Navarro. Pulskamp raced off his line and made another key stop.
In the 53rd minute, Thommy doubled the lead. He cut inside from the right, weaved through two defenders, and fired a low strike into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Colorado responded at the hour mark, introducing Homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett for Ku-DiPietro. It was Bassett’s first appearance since June 14.
Bassett made an instant impact. He broke up the left flank and delivered a low cross into the area. Navarro dummied the ball to let it run through, but no one was there to finish.
The Rapids made another attacking move in the 73rd minute, bringing on Homegrown forward Darren Yapi for Atencio.
In the 81st minute, Colorado brought on Kimani Stewart-Baynes for Harris. It marked the rookie’s third appearance of the season as the Rapids pressed for a late comeback.
The breakthrough came in the 88th minute. Yapi was fouled in the box, and the Rapids were awarded a second penalty of the night. Navarro stepped up and calmly buried the finish past Pulskamp to make it 2-1.
Despite 61.5 percent possession, 25 total shots to SKC’s five, and a 525 to 260 advantage in passes, the Rapids were unable to find the equalizer. They also generated 4.6 expected goals to Sporting’s 1.1 and were fouled 15 times while conceding just seven fouls. Pulskamp finished with eight saves, frustrating Colorado throughout the night.
The Rapids now turn their attention to a two-match week. Colorado visits LAFC at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, July 9, at 8:30 p.m. MT, before returning home to host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. MT.
