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Sporting KC Vs Colorado: 3 things to watch for – Battle of the playmakers

By Nathan Dunn

Sporting KC, Colorado Rapids, Kei Kamara (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Sporting KC, Colorado Rapids, Kei Kamara (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Zac MacMath #18 of Real Salt Lake attempts a save against Kei Kamara #23 of Colorado Rapids uring a match in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 12, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Zac MacMath #18 of Real Salt Lake attempts a save against Kei Kamara #23 of Colorado Rapids uring a match in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 12, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

After losing their opening matches, on Friday, Sporting KC and the Colorado Rapids face one another in desperate need of a victory. Here three things to watch for.

Both Sporting Kansas City and the Colorado Rapids enter Friday’s contest coming off their first losses of the 2020 season. Sporting KC suffered a devastating defeat thanks to a late collapse against Minnesota United, which also resulted in a red card to goalkeeper Tim Melia. The Rapids are coming off a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.

Despite all the hype for both teams entering the tournament, they both disappointed in their opening fixtures. SKC will look to be more clinical in the final third and manage the game better while the Rapids will hope for more activity on the offensive side of their game.

Here are three things to watch for ahead of a crucial second game for both teams.

REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Nicolas Benezet #9 of Colorado Rapids runs the ball past Marcelo Silva #30 of Real Salt Lake in the first half during a match in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 12, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 12: Nicolas Benezet #9 of Colorado Rapids runs the ball past Marcelo Silva #30 of Real Salt Lake in the first half during a match in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 12, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

3. Bounceback performance

Both Colorado and Sporting KC will be looking for their first points of the tournament. Sporting had a loss that left a sick feeling in their stomach while RSL defeated the Rapids pretty soundly. While this match isn’t necessarily a must-win, it is absolutely a can’t-lose situation for both teams.

An issue for both teams will be fitness and recovery. Sporting KC displayed their inability to close out games with their late loss to Minnesota, perhaps a sign that they were physically struggling in the closing stages. Veterans like captain Matt Besler, defender Graham Zusi, midfielders Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez all played into stoppage time. Peter Vermes will have some decisions to make in terms of squad rotation as he hopes to see his team rebound from a tough loss.

The Rapids also disappointed in their opening loss to RSL. Despite the lack of pizzazz in Real Salt Lake’s attack, it was plenty to put two past Colorado’s defense. Similar to Sporting, the Rapids will look to be more clinical in the final third. Can they, too, recover well enough to perform at a physically high level just days after a crushing defeat?

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