In Week 19 of the MLS, Sporting Kansas City clinched a significant victory on the road against Colorado Rapids. The match began with an impactful goal from Dejan Joveljic at the 3rd minute, who executed a beautiful strike following a brilliant play. Erik Thommy then doubled the lead with a well-placed shot in the second half, at the 52nd minute. Colorado’s only reply came from Rafael Navarro, who scored a penalty just before halftime at the 43rd minute.
Joveljic electrified the stadium early on with his precise finish after receiving a cross from Erik Thommy within the penalty area, placing the ball past Nicholas Defreitas Hansen.
Despite numerous attempts by Colorado Rapids, they struggled to find the back of the net, outshooting their opponents with a total of 24 attempts, yet only 9 were on target. Two shots hit the post, while 12 went off target.
Colorado’s Djordje Mihailovic missed a crucial opportunity to equalize, failing to convert a penalty kick awarded in the 30th minute.
A standout performer for the match was Sporting Kansas City’s goalkeeper, John Pulskamp, who made an impressive 8 saves throughout the game.
Erik Thommy was also pivotal for Sporting Kansas City, contributing significantly with a goal to secure the win.
Coach Chris Armas of Colorado Rapids set up a 4-5-1 formation, featuring Nico Hansen in goal, with Keegan Rosenberry, Andreas Maxso, Chidozie Awaziem, and Jackson Travis in defense. The midfield comprised Connor Ronan, Joshua Atencio, Calvin Harris, Djordje Mihailovic, and Theodore Ku-Dipietro, while Rafael Navarro led the attack.
On the other hand, Sporting Kansas City, coached by Kerry Zavagnin, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with John Pulskamp guarding the net, supported by Khiry Shelton, Jansen Miller, Joaquín Fernández, and Tim Leibold in the back line. The midfield trio consisted of Jacob Bartlett, Manu García, and Zorhan Bassong, while the attacking front featured Magomed Suleymanov, Dejan Joveljic, and Erik Thommy.
The referee for this encounter at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park was Filip Dujic.
In the next round, Colorado Rapids will host Vancouver Whitecaps FC, while Sporting Kansas City will face Seattle Sounders at home.
Colorado Rapids Substitutions
59’ 2T – Theodore Ku-Dipietro out for Cole Bassett
72’ 2T – Joshua Atencio out for Darren Yapi and Dejan Joveljic out for Mason Toye
80’ 2T – Calvin Harris out for Kimani Stewart-Baynes
Sporting Kansas City Substitutions
45’ 2T – Joaquín Fernández out for Ian James
57’ 2T – Tim Leibold out for Memo Rodríguez and Magomed Suleymanov out for Daniel Salloi
86’ 2T – Erik Thommy out for Santiago Muñoz
Yellow Cards for Sporting Kansas City:
16’ 1T Joaquín Fernández (Holding an opponent to stop their advance), 47’ 2T Manu García (Unsporting behavior), 51’ 2T Tim Leibold (Repeated fouls), and 63’ 2T Jacob Bartlett (Holding an opponent to prevent their advance).