The Colorado Rapids are chasing a playoff berth as they carry a home winning streak into Saturday’s match against Sporting Kansas City in Commerce City, Colo.
Colorado (7-10-1, 22 points) sits two points out of a Western Conference postseason spot, while Kansas City (4-12-2, 14 points) seeks a turnaround.
SKC are 1-3-0 since the World Cup break and coming off a 2-0 home loss to the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 1. Kansas City midfielder Jake Davis believes the club is close, but must deliver in decisive moments.
“It’s that last step, to have a dagger in the game, whether that is offense or defense and just pushing through,” said Davis, who has three assists. “We’re putting ourselves in good positions to get results in games. We are just looking for that last step.”
In the Rapids’ previous match on Aug. 1 — a 1-0 victory over Austin FC — Keegan Rosenberry notched his 200th appearance with the club. Colorado has won two straight home matches entering the second match of its three-game homestand.
“Over my time we’ve achieved some things and been up and down,” Rosenberry said. “But this year in terms of standards, excellence and expectations, we’ve really pushed the club forward.”
After a transfer to Premier League side Hull City, the Rapids career of 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington is over after just 18 matches. The deal has a $17 million base and could be worth up to $23 million. It’s the largest outbound transfer fee for a defender in MLS history and a significant return on investment considering the Rapids acquired the Australian teenager on a pre-contract from A-League side Brisbane Roar FC for less than $1 million.
Without Herrington, Colorado coach Matt Wells said the Rapids’ high press will be tested by the SKC attack.
“They’ve got an incredible threat into the space behind,” Wells said. “You have to keep constant pressure on the ball. The second you don’t have pressure on the ball, they have very fast players on the top line.”
–Field Level Media
