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Sporting Kansas
Major League Soccer
Apr 9, 2023 at 1.30am UK
Children's Mercy Park
Colorado Rapids

Kansas
0 - 1
Colorado


Rosero (35'), Thommy (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Rubio (68')
Max (37'), Wilson (58'), Nicholson (71'), Acosta (74')

Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The bottom two sides in the MLS Western Conference meet on Saturday evening as Sporting Kansas City host Colorado Rapids at Children's Mercy Park.

Both teams have failed to record a win in their opening six matches of the new campaign, leading to unrest and worry among both sets of supporters.


Match preview

Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes looks on on April 2, 2023© Reuters

Sporting KC look set for another difficult season in the MLS after a winless start to the 2023 competition - a title they currently hold with only Saturday's visitors and Los Angeles Galaxy.

Kansas stopped a run of back-to-back defeats last weekend by grinding out a 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union, but for the fourth time this season the strugglers failed to score in a match.

Peter Vermes's side are sitting in 13th in the Western Conference ahead of the visit of the only team below them in the standings - although a win could catapult the club to as high as eighth.

The Kansas-based club are second in terms of shots on target per match (six) but have been unable to convert those efforts on net into goals and ultimately points that will give a chance of qualifying for the MLS Cup.

Colorado Rapids head coach Robin Fraser before the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on February 26, 2023© Reuters

Colorado come into this clash after recording a respectable point at the home of Los Angeles FC last weekend, becoming only the second side to hold Steve Cherundolo's men to a draw this season.

A goalless draw was also the scoreline when the Rapids hosted Sporting KC in their opening match of this campaign at the start of March - the hosts dominated possession that day, but William Yarbrough had to be at his very best to keep Kansas at bay.

A points tally of three from their opening six matches leaves Colorado rock bottom of the Western Conference ahead of this weekend's trip to Children's Mercy Park, and you have to go back to August for their last away win - a dramatic 5-4 success at New York Red Bulls.

Kevin Cabral made the off-season switch to Colorado from LA Galaxy, with the Frenchman being one of only two goalscorers for the Rapids so far this season - the 23-year-old will be hoping for some more assistance in attacking areas on Saturday.

Sporting Kansas City Major League Soccer form:

Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Kayden Pierre in action for Sporting Kansas on August 1, 2022© Reuters

Sporting KC will be light in the right-back spot this weekend with Kayden Pierre sidelined due to a hamstring injury, meaning Graham Zusi will surely retain his place in the hosts' backline.

Kortne Ford is another defender who will miss the meeting with Colorado, with the 27-year-old out until next month because of an Achilles tendon injury.

Colorado suffered a massive injury blow before the international break as Jack Price suffered an Achilles injury nine minutes into a substitute appearance against Minnesota United - the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.

Iran international Steven Beitashour is also set to miss the trip to Kansas as he recovers from a hamstring injury, with the 36-year-old last featuring in the reverse fixture at the start of March.

Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Zusi, Rosero, Castellanos, Voloder; Walter, Radoja, Thommy; Russell, Agada, Salloi

Colorado Rapids possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Abubakar, Maxso, Wilson; Rosenberry, Acosta, Ronan, Nicholson; Rubio, Alves, Lewis


SM words green background

We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-0 Colorado Rapids

Sporting KC have struggled significantly at the start of this campaign but will view Saturday's meeting with the Western Conference's bottom side as a perfect opportunity to record their first maximum.

Colorado have been poor so far this term and their alarming away record stretches back to the middle of last season - we cannot see the Rapids changing their fortunes in Kansas in this one.

How to watch

You can watch Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Carter White

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