Sporting Kansas City ends freezing trip to Colorado with scoreless draw: Recap

In a freezing-cold match at altitude, Sporting KC struggled early for the second straight contest.

The Colorado Rapids jumped on Sporting initially, but Sporting KC woke up in the second half and had several chances. Both teams failed to convert, and the match ended in a scoreless draw, 0-0.

“This was a great point for us in the sense we were able to fight through a lot of stuff,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said.

The Rapids thought they had the lead in the 13th minute when Darren Yapi bundled home a loose ball on the goal line, but VAR marked Yapi as offside; he was in an offside position when Sam Nicholson got a touch that sent the ball loose.

Minutes later, Colorado fans thought they had one over the line for what would’ve been a Graham Zusi own goal, but VAR did not find evidence that the ball crossed the line.

Within that first 15 minutes, Colorado had clearly identified something to exploit within Kansas City’s defensive lines.

“I think they were struggling a little bit with runs in behind,” Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett said.

According to Bassett, the Rapids were able to catch Sporting KC off guard with their passing sequences, exploiting the space Ben Sweat and Zusi were leaving in behind.

“Once you show that you can get in behind the team, it opens up a little bit more space in the middle,” Bassett said. “Once we did that two or three times, then there was a little bit more space in the middle, and then we found a couple of seams to get through.”

Sporting didn’t create much other than some shots from a distance in the first half. But in the second half, they came out with much more fluid attacks, hitting the Rapids in transition. In fact, Sporting created multiple chances that forced a save from Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough.

Yarbrough made 11 saves, ultimately keeping the Rapids from a second half collapse.

Erik Thommy took a few of the shots that required saves. Sporting’s best chance came in the 70th minute after Thommy’s powerful free kick from a distance was parried by Yarbrough, who got up quick enough to make a strong save on Daniel Salloi’s rebound that was destined for goal.

“In the second half, we waited for our spaces in front for our chances,” Thommy said. “We got our opportunities. In the end, if we have a little bit more luck, we win that game.”

Sporting has yet to score a goal in the 180 minutes played in 2023. It’s something that isn’t yet concerning for Vermes.

“I’m not worried about it,” Vermes said. “It was very hard to come on the road like we have two games in a row — and then also getting one postponed when we’re already away.”

John Pulskamp made a few saves himself, including a smart read on Bassett, who tried to control the ball when he was clean through.

“Early on in the season, you’re gonna suffer situations where things are gonna happen, and your goalkeeper has to make saves that keep you in the game,” Vermes said.

Sporting KC returns home on March 11, playing host the Los Angeles Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. Central. After a difficult two weeks on the road, players are certainly looking forward to it.

“I know that our fans will push us and give us energy on the field like they did in the last season,” Thommy said, “so we are very excited.”