Sporting takes 3-2 loss to Colorado

Reduced to 10 men for the final 70 minutes on Saturday night, Sporting Kansas City (10-14-7, 37 points) suffered a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rapids (11-15-6, 39 points) in a drama-filled battle at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Gerso Fernandes fired the hosts into a third-minute lead and a Tommy Smith own goal made it 2-0 just 11 minutes later, but Colorado gained a man advantage when Sporting captain Matt Besler was sent off for his second bookable offense in the 20th minute.

The Rapids would eventually cash in, drawing level through former Sporting attackers Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio, before Smith atoned for his early blunder by nodding home the match-winner on 85 minutes.

Seeking a positive response to last week’s road loss against the LA Galaxy, manager Peter Vermes made two changes to Sporting’s lineup on Saturday.

Hungarian international duo Botond Barath and Krisztian Nemeth both earned their first starts since July, replacing center back Graham Smith and striker Erik Hurtado. Joining Barath in central defense was Besler, who became the first Sporting player to log 300 career MLS appearances including playoffs.

Sporting wasted no time landing the first punch, seizing the initiative when Felipe Gutierrez sprayed a lovely ball down the right channel for Graham Zusi to chase.

The right back swung in a low, driven cross that Keegan Rosenberry nearly cleared successfully, but Gerso stuck out his leg to redirect the ball past Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin for his sixth goal of the year in all competitions.

The Rapids were pegged back and took another blow in the 14th minute, succumbing to pressure off a Sporting set piece.

Luis Martins’ searching delivery into the penalty area was headed back across the face of goal by Ilie Sanchez, intended for the lurking Nemeth at the far post. In a bid to prevent the ball from reaching his marker, Smith inadvertently toe-poked the ball into his own net to double Sporting’s cushion.

The game’s complexion changed drastically when Besler was given his marching orders by referee Nima Saghafi for his second yellow card of the evening.

On their heels throughout the early stages, the Rapids gradually gained a foothold and grabbed a goal back three minutes shy of halftime. Jack Price’s corner kick took a hop before reaching Kamara, who expertly chested the ball before sending a well-struck bicycle kick bicycle kick beyond goalkeeper Tim Melia to record his 12th goal of the MLS campaign.

A delicately poised second half unfolded, with the Rapids enjoying the lion’s share of possession while Sporting remained dangerous on the counter attack.

Colorado found its equalizer in the 76th minute on a breathless sequence ignited by Sam Nicholson’s hopeful cross into a crowded box. The ball fell to the feet of Smith, and although Ilie was there to block the initial attempt, Rubio was on hand to slam a venomous blast into the roof of the net to level terms.

Colorado completed its comeback nine minutes later when Smith latched onto Price’s corner kick and steered a powerful header inside the near post for his third goal of 2019, condemning Vermes’ men to a heartbreaking defeat.

Seven points shy of playoff positioning with three regular season matches still to play, Sporting will look to bounce back Wednesday when they travel to face regional rival Minnesota United FC (14-10-6, 48 points) at the new Allianz Field.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO.

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Today’s high to be 79

After a foggy start, today’s weather should be sunny with a high of 79, according to the National Weather Service.

A flood warning has been issued for Tuesday morning through Friday morning for the Missouri River at Parkville, where the gauge is at I-435 between Wyandotte County and Platte County. The river could go into minor flood stage at that point.

The Missouri River at I-435, between Wyandotte County and Platte County, could go into minor flood stage on Tuesday, according to hydrology charts from the National Weather Service – USGS. (National Weather Service – USGS chart)

On Tuesday evening, thunderstorms may form over Iowa with strong to severe storms moving into this region Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the weather service said.

Damaging winds will be the main threat of these storms as they travel south, according to the weather service.

The next chance for rain will be Friday morning as a cold front pushes through the area, the weather service said.

According to the weather service, this region will have higher than normal temperatures from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6. Also, this region could have slightly higher precipitation than normal during the same period. Precipitation to the north of this region, in the Missouri River basin, could be up 60 percent above normal from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.

Tonight, it will be mostly clear with a low of 60 and a calm wind, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., with a high near 81, the weather service said. A calm wind will become south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tuesday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 68 and a south wind of 3 to 7 mph, according to the weather service. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 79 with a calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday night, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., with a low of 58, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 79, the weather service said.

Thursday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., with a low of 70, according to the weather service.

Friday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 82, the weather service said.

Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 63, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 78, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 68, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 86, the weather service said.

Victim of fatal accident at 18th and Kansas identified

The victim of a fatal accident at 18th Street Expressway and Kansas Avenue has been identified, according to a Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department spokesman.

The victim was Leroy Richardson, 25, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, a police spokesman stated.

About 6:10 p.m. Sept. 19, officers responded to an injury-accident on southbound 18th Expressway. A sport utility vehicle left the road and rolled off the bridge at 18th and Kansas Avenue, police stated.

Richardson was the only person in the vehicle and died from injuries sustained in the accident, police said.

The accident is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Traffic Support Unit- Critical Collision Response Team.