MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City Earns 1-1 Draw at Colorado Rapids

Published on May 28, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Sporting Kansas City earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Colorado Rapids on Saturday on a goal from Ryan Smith in the 75th minute. More than 100 Sporting Kansas City fans were at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado to see Sporting KC comeback from an early 1-0 deficit to earn a point on the home field of the defending MLS Cup champions.

Sporting Kansas City had the first scoring opportunity of the night, as striker Chance Myers forced a turnover and fired a shot from 20 yards out on the right side, but Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens was able to make a diving stop in the 9th minute.

Colorado then threatened two minutes later on a set piece from Sanna Nyassi. The Gambian's service found Tyrone Marshall alone at the backpost, but the Jamaican defender couldn't redirect the bouncing cross on target in traffic.

However, the Rapids would breakthrough in the 13th minute on an errant pass from Sporting KC defender Aurelien Collin that was intended for goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Colorado forward Conor Casey, putting in his first 90 minute performance of the season, intercepted the pass and took a touch around Nielsen before sending his shot toward the empty net. Kansas City's Matt Besler did his best to make a sliding stop, but the ball caromed into the goal to give Colorado the early 1-0 advantage.

Sporting Kansas City inserted creative playmaker Ryan Smith at halftime for defender Seth Sinovic, making his first MLS start for Sporting Kansas City since signing earlier this month, and nearly equalized in the 47th minute. Midfielder Graham Zusi, with his back to goal, played a pass behind the Rapids defense for Omar Bravo, but the Designated Player's shot from 10 yards out was superbly stopped by Pickens from close range.

Ten minutes later, it was Colorado's turn to attack as forward Andre Akpan came close to scoring moments after entering the match, turning and sending his shot narrowly wide of the far post from 20 yards out. Then in the 63rd minute, Casey collected a poorly played pass from Collin and distributed to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz but the veteran sent his shot high from 12 yards out on the right side.

Sporting Kansas City kept the pressure on in the back-and-forth match, as Marvell Wynne slid to thwart Teal Bunbury's breakaway in the 68th minute before Nielsen made his best save of the night five minutes later, using his right foot to deny Akpan along the endline.

The save proved pivotal as Smith's goal in the 75th minute secured a much-needed point for Sporting Kansas City, who had lost five straight entering Saturday's match. Smith dribbled into the penalty area, creating space for a left-footed shot that he laced into the top right corner of the far post past Pickens.

The goal set-up a tense final 15 minutes, and it was in the waning moments of the match that Sporting Kansas City looked poised to complete the comeback. One week after conceding a decisive goal in stoppage time at Seattle, Sporting Kansas City looked to have turned the tables when Birahim Diop's header fell off a free kick from inside midfield fell to Bunbury for a half-volley that sailed high of goal from six yards out.

Sporting Kansas City will continue action in the 2011 MLS Reserve League on Sunday against the Colorado Rapids at 11:00 a.m. CT before returning to Kansas City. The team will then conclude their 10-game road trip to open the 2011 season next Saturday at Toronto FC.

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