Former Sporting Kansas City forward Diego Rubio scored in the 68th minute to lift the visiting Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over Sporting KC.
Once the Rapids (1-3-3, 6 points) grabbed the lead, they were content to pack in the defense and hold off multiple SKC attacks.
Rubio outmuscled SKC defender Remi Walter for the ball at the midfield stripe and raced up the field. With a teammate to his right and the defense in an uncertain posture, he fired a shot past Sporting keeper Tim Melia.
Sporting Kansas City (0-4-3, 3 points) was on the front foot much of the second half. They held nearly 70 percent of the second-half possession, and they outshot Colorado 12-1 after intermission. But once again, they couldn’t dent the back of the net. Sporting has scored just two goals this season, the fewest in MLS.
Sporting KC welcomed back Alan Pulido, a talented striker who had not started a match since the 2021 MLS playoffs. He came off the bench in the 60th minute of Sporting’s last match, a 0-0 draw in Philadelphia.
Pulido had his best scoring opportunity in the 48th minute. He received a pass from Daniel Salloi at the top of the box, but his attempt was handled by Colorado keeper William Yarbrough.
The fans in attendance held their collective breath in the 53rd minute when Pulido went to the ground writhing in pain holding his leg. Replays showed that Rubio accidentally stepped on Pulido’s ankle. After a brief delay, he rejoined the action and played until being subbed out in the 64th minute.
There was a scary moment late in the first half when Sporting’s Dany Rosero and Colorado’s Andreas Maxso collided in midair in the Colorado box. Both players were on the ground for a few moments, but Maxso was motionless for a while. He finally rose to his feet but immediately was replaced by Steven Beitashour.
Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, but by the halftime whistle, they showed why they’re tied for the fewest goals in MLS. They each had just one shot on goal despite multiple shots for each side. Colorado had seven shots and SKC had six.
–Field Level Media
