SKC hope to finish highway win drought vs. Rapids

Expect a blowout when the Colorado Rapids play host to Sporting Kansas City on Thursday in Commerce City, Colo.

And that has nothing to do with the postgame fireworks show that will mark Independence Day.

Colorado’s past three games have each been decided by three goals. After victories at St. Louis (3-0) and back home against Montreal (4-1), the Rapids (9-8-4, 31 points) had a three-match winning streak snapped with a 3-0 loss Saturday at Los Angeles FC.

The defeat was due in part to winger Kevin Cabral receiving his second yellow card in the 62nd minute, leaving Colorado short-handed the rest of the way.

“We were happy to play at the level we did (Saturday) in moments,” Rapids coach Chris Armas said. “We didn’t bring our best stuff, but we’re 1-1 (against LAFC) and we’re still (tied for) fourth place (in the Western Conference).”

The Rapids are unbeaten in their past four home matches, with Rafael Navarro scoring in each of his past five at home. Navarro has a team-high 11 goals, with Djordje Mihailovic close behind with nine goals and a team-high eight assists.

Sporting KC (4-12-5, 17 points) are coming off a 2-0 victory against Austin FC. They snapped a three-game skid and was just their second victory in their past 16 league matches (2-11-2). Goalkeeper Tim Melia posted his second shutout of the season.

Despite entering the week 11 points below the playoff line in the Western Conference, Peter Vermes’ club has not given up hope of making a second-half run.

“We can’t wait. We have a lot of games that are important coming up,” Vermes said. “Each game has its own importance to it. This all started last week, but we need to keep going.”

SKC hold a 35-31-22 lead in the all-time series between the inaugural MLS clubs but are winless in their past 10 trips to Colorado (0-5-5).

–Field Level Media