Sporting KC and Colorado draw on retro night

A sense of déjà vu for Sporting Kansas City Saturday night as they gave up an early goal to the visitors and then had to fight their way back. The Colorado Rapids have been surging in the standings and have to feel good about stealing a point in Kansas City with the 1-1 draw.

Jonathan Lewis staked the Rapids to a lead in the 17^th minute. His initial shot was blocked by SKC defender Graham Zusi but the ball rebounded back to Lewis who was able to blast it past a diving Tim Melia.

Sporting KC Johnny Russell was able to level the score in the 41^st minute with an impressive free kick. Gadi Kinda earned the attempt when Danny Wilson pushed him down just outside the box. Both Russell and Alan Pulido stood over the ball but team captain Russell took the shot, a ball that curled up and around the wall, freezing William Yarbrough.

“I always had my mind to go up and over the wall, obviously not to put too much power on it cause it’s difficult to control it from that distance,” Russell told media postgame. “Just tried to get a good connection, make it clean, make sure it got up and down in time and managed to tuck it away. Obviously it was good to get the goal back but disappointing night overall to be honest.”

Sporting KC pushed for a game winner and had more opportunities in the second half but Colorado had a fair number of opportunities as well. As entertaining as the back and forth action was in the later stages, fans and players alike have to feel frustrated that the team surrendered another early goal. I the last five home games, SKC is 1-1-3.

Sporting Kansas City:

Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Ilie Sanchez, Andreu Fontas, Luis Martins; Roger Espinoza, Cam Duke, Gadi Kinda; Johnny Russell (C), Alan Pulido, Daniel Salloi

Subs Not Used: John Pulskamp, Amadou Dia, Roberto Puncec, Kaveh Rad, Jake Davis, Grayson Barber, Wilson Harris, Khiry Shelton

Colorado Rapids:

William Yarbrough; Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar, Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Braian Galvan (Lucas Esteves 68’); Jonathan Lewis (Michael Barrios 62’), Jack Price (C) (Collen Warner 86’), Kellyn Acosta, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Dominique Badji 68’); Andre Shinyashiki (Cole Bassett 62’)

Subs Not Used: Clint Irwin, Steven Beitashour, Drew Moor, Nicolas Mezquida

Scoring Summary:

COL — Jonathan Lewis 3 (unassisted) 17’

SKC — Johnny Russell 4 (unassisted) 41’

Misconduct Summary:

COL — Lalas Abubakar (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 24’

COL — Jonathan Lewis (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 30’

COL — Auston Trusty (yellow card; time wasting) 69’

COL — Keegan Rosenberry (yellow card; unsporting behavior) 72’’