July 4th Fireworks in Colorado- Rapids vs Sporting KC Preview

Commerce City, CO — The Colorado Rapids will look to make it three straight unbeaten when they welcome Sporting KC to DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. It will be the second time running that this matchup plays on July 4th. Rapids took last year’s match 2-1, with a late Djordje Mihailović penalty to take all three points for Colorado. The Rapids could not take all three points in Foxborough last time out, despite leading 3-0. Points will be more and more crucial down the stretch, especially against Western Conference foes. A must-win game, 4th of July festivities, and fireworks postgame, this will not be one you want to miss. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

When: Saturday, July 4th @ 7:30 p.m. MST

Where: DICK’s Sporting Goods Park

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Two Points Dropped in New England:

An away point is usually a successful outing for most in MLS. It feels less successful if you are up by three goals early in the second half. It was all going swimmingly for the Rapids, even without star Mihailović due to an ankle injury. Not only did the Rapids jump out to a 3-0 lead in the 55th minute, but players who felt like they needed to score were scoring. Calvin Harris made it two in two after some great Rafael Navarro skill. Rafa himself got in on the goals for the first time in over two months. Ted Ku-DiPietro made it three with a great run and shot from distance to open his account in Burgundy. The wingers were producing, Rafa ended his goal drought, and Darren Yapi had two assists on the night. It was looking like a fine performance and a much-needed three points for Colorado.

It very quickly turned sour for the away side. The three-goal lead lasted only three minutes. A poor pass from Calvin Harris led to a giveaway deep in Colorado’s third. Carles Gil latched onto the loose ball and played a teasing ball across the box, which Sam Vines couldn’t clear. The ball fumbled into the Rapids’ net, and New England quickly gained the momentum. An already dangerous New England attack gained the confidence they needed to really push the game. Colorado fully took the foot off the gas offensively and just tried to survive.

It was working until the 86th minute, when youngster Sam Bassett made a rookie mistake against a seasoned veteran. Sam had pulled down Carles Gil in the box, and in a match where Gil was getting every call, it was a head-scratching moment for the homegrown. New England converts, and quickly makes it 3-3 through MLS veteran Maxi Urruti. It was a header from the New England forward, despite Colorado putting three center backs on the field late. A frustrating way to drop two points, despite the result meaning road points for Colorado. Great moments offensively, with some crucial goals for a dormant Rapids attack, are never a bad thing, but the result overshadowed the good play for the first 55 minutes.

Attack Unlocked Without Djordje?

The Rapids were without their designated player number 10 in New England, with the team taking a conservative approach to Djordje’s ankle injury. A late exclusion from the matchday side, with news of his ankle injury only emerging a day before the match, raised a question about how Colorado would react. The team had become increasingly dependent on Djordje in recent months. Many games felt decided by how in form Mihailovic was. Calvin Harris was the only Rapid not named Djordje to score a goal in June. So, how did the team react to not having the star playmaker? They scored three goals, equaling their season high.

In the first match of the season, without Mihailović, we saw a 4-4-2 formation with two outright strikers paired with two outright wingers out wide. The front line, consisting of KDP-Yapi-Rafa-Harris, proved to be a goal-dangerous option. They all had at least one goal contribution on the night. You could argue that each had their best game of the season on Saturday, with the team scoring three goals in a match for the third time this season. So, is Colorado and the attack better without Djordje?

The short answer is no, and far from it. Even putting aside all that Djordje does for the team both offensively and defensively, the Rapids were just not that good against New England. The three goals look nice, but the team was outplayed and outattacked in Foxborough. Colorado only had 28% of the possession, 0.80 expected goals, and four shots on target. The Rapids were clinical on the counterattack and finished their chances well. But they were held in a defensive block in their half for much of this game. A problem that a player of Djordje’s caliber would help significantly. The team will look better and play better when Djordje is on the field. However, it’s a step in the right direction to have other players step up.

Lineup Prediction:

Hansen / Rosenberry (C), Maxsø, Awaziem, Travis / Mihailović, Larraz, Atencio, Ku-DiPietro / Yapi, Navarro

Neither Cole Bassett nor Djordje Mihailović is on the injury report for the Pids. Great news for Colorado. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Djordje makes his way back to the starting lineup, I would be if Cole starts on Friday. His most recent appearance was short-lived without a return to ankle pain, so bringing him back slowly may be the call the Rapids tend to lean towards. Getting Cole healthy and keeping him healthy should be priority number one for Chris Armas and his coaching staff.

Two names that are unavailable for Friday are both in the fullback room. Sam Vines is out with a groin injury, presumably the same one that he looked to pick up early against New England. Really unfortunate for the homegrown, who had just started to try a few stars together. It will most likely be Jackson Travis who will fill in at left back, especially with Reggie Cannon out due to yellow card accumulation. A rare Keegan Rosenberry start is expected with the exclusion of Vines and Cannon from the matchday squad. Ian Murphy could be a name floating around as a potential outside back replacement. However, I expect to see Rosenberry and Travis on Friday.

It will be interesting to see how and with what formation Chris Armas will use to get Djordje back into the starting eleven. The 4-4-2 with wingers on both sides and two number nines up top has no room for Djordje. Colorado cannot do what they did against New England and have Djordje in the lineup. However, Djordje is a player that you will gladly make changes to include. Whether in a 4-2-2-2 out wide or in the middle of a 4-2-3-1, Djordje should have little problem making his way back into the starting lineup.

A Peter Vermes-less Sporting KC:

For the first time in 16 years, the Rapids will face a Sporting Kansas City side that will not be head-coached by Peter Vermes. The change may have felt overdue for many Sporting KC fans, and longtime assistant Kerry Zavagnin has filled in since. After starting the year without a win in February and March, it hasn’t been too bad for the MLS original. They still sit 12th in the Western Conference (20 points, 5-5-10). Since the firing of Preter Vermes, they have five wins, five losses, and four draws. Hardly the form of a team that is on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs.

Sporting KC has a similar but better five-game form than the Rapids do going into July 4th. Both teams are coming off a four-game stretch that earned them four points. Sporting would feel much better about their last match ending in a draw, as they were reduced to ten men late against RSL. A second yellow for Jacob Davis would mean a suspension against Colorado, but it did not mean RSL could capitalize on the advantage, and SKC escaped with a point at home. Despite a long-time captain, Johnny Russell, scoring in an RSL jersey, Sporting KC can feel good about their most recent draw.

Despite finishing 13th in the West last season, there were few personnel changes in Kansas City. They lost both Johnny Russell and Willy Agada to RSL, and Alan Pulido ended his stint in Kansas City with a transfer to Chivas. The most notable addition was Dejan Joveljic from LA Galaxy, which had to cut costs after their championship season. Joveljic, who scored in MLS Cup, has continued to be an underrated star in MLS, with 11 goals and two assists in 18 MLS matches for Sporting KC.

He has been a diamond in the rough for SKC, as despite the production from their new number nine, the team isn’t winning as much as they should. The defense, which is leaking the third-most goals in the league, could signal problems. 13 goals conceded in the last six games is not great. Colorado will have to capitalize on SKC’s defense while keeping wraps on the new additions in the attack.

Prediction: Colorado is able to continue their good run of form in front of the net, while shoring up the backline enough to get the win. Rapids win it 2-1.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.