Colorado Rapids vs Sporting Kansas City: Preview and How to Watch
By Eric Harris
The last place team in the west looks to spoil the road trip for Sporting and hand them their first losing streak of the year.
Sporting Kansas City enters this match with the best defense in the league in terms of goals allowed. Colorado has the fewest goals scored this year. Surely this means a predictable match where Matt Besler, Ike Opara and company smother the Colorado attack and get out of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with a win? Or could the ever unpredictable MLS provide another twist in the plot?
Last time these two met Sporting walked over Colorado and a very angry Tim Howard, who got hit with a three game suspension for his actions after the match. Colorado should be much more focused in the return match.
Sporting Kansas City
Current Record: 6-3-4, 22 pts (1st in Western Conference)
Last Time Out: 0-2 Loss at Vancouver Whitecaps
Player to Watch: Ike Opara. People have pointed to Besler as the anchor of the defense in Kansas City and he certainly is a vocal leader and an excellent captian. You could make the case Opara is even more important for their success. In the 11 games Opara has played in, they have allowed 5 goals and taken 2 points per game in those. When he doesn’t play, 4 goals allowed (in two matches) and they haven’t gotten a single point from those.
Why They Win: The predictable narrative plays out. Colorado can’t find a way past SKC’s back line, the midfield possesses the ball to death and Dom Dwyer finds the back of the net.
Why They Won’t: Sporting can’t take advantage of the chances they get in this match, because they’re definitely going to get chances. The score stays low and Colorado can catch Sporting on the counter.
Predicted Starting XI:
Colorado Rapids
Current Record: 2-8-1, 7 pts (Last in Western Conference)
Last Time Out: 1-2 Loss at Philadelphia Union
Player to Watch: Marlon Hariston. The speedy winger is going to be crucial for the Rapids, who will most likely find a goal on the counter. Colorado needs to get him the ball in space and let him go to work.
Why They Win: Counter attacking and set pieces. Colorado has to take advantage of one. They’re not going to see a lot of the ball, so a smash and grab is what needs to happen for them to pick up three points.
Why They Won’t: A repeat of their first match up in Kansas City takes place in Colorado. The Rapids were pegged into their own half and we’re unable to create anything.
Predicted Starting XI:
Prediction:
How to Watch:
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
When: Saturday, May 27 – 8 p.m. ET
How To Watch: MLS Live