"Five Things" is a season-long series presented by the Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center that highlights the top storylines and players to watch ahead of each match. To visit the series archive, click here.
Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City (5-2-0, 15 points) will continue their daunting stretch of five matches in 16 days when they visit longtime rivals Colorado Rapids (2-3-1, 7 points) on Saturday at Dick's Sports Goods Park. The contest will kick off at 8 p.m. CT with live coverage on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
Saturday's game comes amidst challenging circumstances, as several sporting events across the country—including five MLS fixtures on Wednesday—have been postponed in response to the tragic events in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Sporting, Colorado and the rest of MLS have taken a unified stance against racism and injustice and will continue to use their platforms to instigate positive change moving forward.
As Sporting prepares for Saturday's trip to the Rocky Mountains, here are five prevailing storylines surrounding the match.
1. Standing United
As mentioned above, five MLS matches were postponed Wednesday night as the league and its clubs stood in full support of the Black community. Colorado was one of the 10 sides originally scheduled to play, but their road test against FC Dallas was called off shortly before kickoff at Toyota Stadium.
“We’ve met with the players over all the issues going on," Manager Peter Vermes told reporters on a video conference call on Thursday. "These issues concerning our country have to be dealt with, (we want them to know) we understand that. We’ve listened to players. We listen to staff, we’re incredibly supportive.
“I have to commend the guys, they’re pursuing excellence in two areas," he continued. "They’re trying to be the best on the field and the second is off the field. They’d like to see change. I support that. I agree with it.”
2. A Chance to Bounce Back
The one positive to come from Sporting's 5-2 home loss to the Houston Dynamo at Children's Mercy Park? There's no waiting around for the next game. While there were a few bright spots on Tuesday—Johnny Russell and Gadi Kinda found the back of the net before Houston pulled away in the second half—Vermes' men will want nothing more than to remove the bad taste from their mouths with a victory over the Rapids this weekend.
Despite the midweek setback, Sporting still sits four points clear atop the Western Conference and just a point behind Columbus Crew SC in the Supporters' Shield race.
3. The Goals are Flowing
Indeed they are. Sporting leads MLS with 17 goals in the regular season and ranks second with 2.43 goals per game. Kinda and Mexican striker Alan Pulido are two of eight MLS players with at least three goals and two assists this season, while Shelton and Russell have provided a scoring punch on the wings. Kinda, interestingly enough, has scored in all four regular season appearances outside of the MLS is Back Tournament. His overhead finish off the crossbar in Tuesday's battle against Houston was one of the finishes of the year thus far.
4. Rapids Seek Response
Led by second-year head coach and former MLS veteran Robin Fraser, the Rapids began 2020 brightly by going 2-0-0 for the first time since 2012. Following a four-month hiatus in play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado hit a rough patch at the MLS is Back Tournament by finishing last in Group D with two losses and a draw. Their first game back home last Saturday resulted in a 4-1 defeat to rivals Real Salt Lake. The Rapids are winless in four and will view Saturday as a potential springboard back into the win column.
A recent slump won't change the fact that Colorado still boasts a formidable attack. Former Sporting forwards Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio combined for 25 regular season goals in 2019, while Jonathan Lewis and reigning MLS Rookie of the Year Andre Shinyashiki are also dangerous pieces in the final third.
5. MLS is Back Rematch
Sporting and Colorado most recently met on July 17 as Vermes' side emerged victorious by a 3-2 scoreline in Walt Disney World. The instant classic proved to be one of the wildest games in the MLS is Back Tournament, delivering goals, red cards and moments of controversy.
Kellyn Acosta gave Colorado a 1-0 halftime lead with a brilliant early strike, but a pair of second-half red cards to defender Danny Wilson and captain Jack Price turned the game on its head. Shelton and Pulido scored to give Sporting a 2-1 advantage, and although Lewis equalized in the 84th minute, Graham Zusi broke Colorado hearts by slotting home a deflected strike in the 91st minute.
