Kansas City, Kan.- Was Saturday night a get-right-game or a measuring stick game? Either way, the Colorado Rapids had very good night against Sporting KC. Both teams came into this season with new coaches and a bit of a rebuild. This game was a six-pointer for playoffs. After losing both matches last year, the Rapids ran over SKC led by a Paxten Aaronson brace.
Zack Steffen was back from his shoulder injury and was able to start in goal and captain the side. Miguel Navarro made his first start for Colorado at left back. Jackson Travis moved over to right back. Keegan Rosenberry moved to the bench. Wayne Frederick II made his second start in a row despite a mixed performance at NYCFC. Dante Sealy was back in the starting lineup at right back.
For Sporting, former Rapids winger Calvin Harris started on the right.
The first half was an exciting one. Colorado had 58% of the ball and were generally good in possession. Both teams had direct passing to a target winger who was creative. Sporting were compact at times and went for it in transition when there was space. There were long balls a plenty.
Darren Yapi continued his magnificent form. Despite SKC having the better start through 12 minutes, Yapi galloped into space after a no-look backheel from Rafael Navarro. Yapi cut inside and found Aaronson wide open for a one-touch finish. It was Aaronson’s first goal of 2026 and second in 12 matches for the club.
Yapi could have made it 0-2 in the 19th. On another long run, he cut inside and shot. Goalkeeper John Pulskamp gave up a rebound. Yapi didn’t get enough on the shot and Ethan Bartlow cleared the second shot off the line.
Harris came ready to ball out against his former club. He got service throughout the half. He took Navarro and others on 1-v-1 and was quick to shoot. Miguel Navarro had a clearing ball intercepted at midfield. Harris got it for the first time inside and threaded the ball to a rushing Shapi Suleymanov. The forward won a foot race against Travis and beat Steffen at the near post.
Shockingly, Colorado made it 1-2 before half. Pulskamp let a corner cross get through his hands. The ball went off the crossbar and Frederick tapped it in for his first MLS goal.
The second half was even more transitional. SKC attacked in waves. Suleymanov had a great chance on a free kick in the 59th, but his direct shot was paired by Steffen.
After some back and fourth play, the Navarros were rewarded in the 71st. Aaronson had been moved out wide after a sub. He got into space then found Miguel on an inside run. The Venezuelan squared the ball to Rafa for a tap in.
Four minutes later, Josh Atencio intercepted a lazy pass as Sporting had numbers up field. Eventually Rafael squared the ball to Aaronson for the first time finish. It was a mirror of the opening goal. It was 1-4 and SKC’s mentality was broken.
Colorado played out the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time, playing with their food. Sporting didn’t have a shot attempt after the 69th. On another night, Navarro gets scores another two. The game ended 1-4.
Paxten Aaronson brace! Wayne Frederick opens account.
Aaronson will take the headlines with two goals. Two runs to crash Zone 14 and finish. This was a breakout game for him after the fanbase’s concerns last week. He was good in the press and build up play. Aaronson’s fantastic when he’s dribbling into space. In this game, he did many things well. But what’s more important to Wells, his work between the boxes or getting on the scoresheet?
“Great getting two goals tonight. It was something that I was disappointed with myself in the first couple games. I met with coach last week to discuss film. It was just a mentality thing. Tonight, it was just two late runs,” said Aaronson.
“I was doing the dirty work. I’ve played multiple different positions. That’s something I pride myself on, being able to be flexible. I’m more than happy to help the team in any shape or form.”
Credit to Wayne Frederick. He gets a second straight start and does well. Pressed well as a number 10 in the second half. He was opportunistic on that corner to score. His confidence has to be sky high.
“Everyone we outplayed them, we had big overloads. I thought our pressure was very good tonight. Especially when Wayne went in as the number 10,” said Wells. “His goal is pleasing. It was a play that (set piece coach) Rob (Burch) called in the week. Rob said in a team meeting today, quite emphatically, ‘Wayne, you will score today from a corner.'”
Matt Wells Ball:
This felt like the LA Galaxy game but the opponent didn’t get a man sent off. Colorado were on the front foot in possession in the first half. They absorbed pressure well and then went full Matt Wells ball to run up the score. They had long stretches where they dominated. And they maybe were more dominant in the second half where they let the opponent have the ball.
It was team football. It was fluid. It was fun.
“For the first time this season we dominated the duels. Kansas are actually #1 in MLS for ground duals. That was a big focus this week, making sure we come here with a required level of aggression. I was really pleased with how we dominated the physical aspect of the game,” Wells said.
That’s three wins in the opening five games. The two losses are at Seattle and NYC, no cake walks. Take out the Seattle game, that’s 11 goals in four matches.
Credit as well to the defense. Three of the back four had yellow cards an hour in when it was 1-2. Both center backs were booked in the first half. They managed that well.
Yapi and Navarro keep cooking. Yapi, sign an extension!
Rafael Navarro is the starting center forward for the Rapids but he’s been a playmaker and facilitator through five games. Had the primary assist and secondary assist on the two Aaronson goals. Had a goal himself. He has five goal contributions in three games. He’s doing all of this while pressing like crazy and making it easy for everyone around him.
“It’s a different role for him this season, playing a lot more withdrawn from the top line. Using Rafa to attract defenders to the middle, so we exploit space on the wing. Second half, it was borderline a complete performance from a striker,” Wells said of the Brazilian.
Miguel Navarro technically wasn’t credited with an assist on the third goal. Fans are waiting for a Navarro to Navarro goal.
On the flip side, Yapi has been dynamite playing out of position as a direct winger. Three straight games where he’s gotten the ball at midfield and taken to the house for a goal contribution. I said on Holding The High Line recently he might be worth a U22 contract. He’s out of contract this year. For all the noise about his role, he’s cooking.
Calvin Harris Revenge Tour falls short:
It was nice to see Cal start and play well. He had his game face on in the first half and he was aggressive. Did well on the assist. That’s his first goal contribution of the season. On another night, he scores. Hopefully he has a good season and grows as SKC rebuild. He had a nice moment postgame with former teammate. Looks like he and Rob Holding swapped shirts maybe.
“I was obviously really excited to see my friends but also play against them. It’s a shame how it turned out in the end,” Harris told Dan Sperry from the Sporting locker room.
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Spencer Baldwin 
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