by Brian Turrel
Sporting Kansas City came back from an early deficit to post a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park. The stadium was packed and loud for the weekend match.
Colorado took the lead in the 17th minute. Jonathan Lewis knocked back the rebound of his own shot to get the score.
Johnny Russell scored the equalizer in the 41st minute on a free kick just outside the penalty area, floating the ball over the wall of Colorado defenders and into the corner of the net.
After the match, Russell discussed his approach to the kick.
“Just tried to get a good connection,” the Scottish forward said. “Make it clean, make sure it got up and down in time and managed to tuck it away.”
Sporting KC had the better of the Rapids for the remainder of the match and attempted 20 shots to only 8 for Colorado. Rapids goalkeeper William Yarbrough saved 7 shots and a few other Sporting chances were just wide of the goal.
Head coach Peter Vermes praised the team’s effort after the game, despite the missed opportunity for a win.
“I can’t say anything but great things about the guys’ effort and their commitment,” said the coach. “It was a really high, high level performance today. Their attitude and their mentality and to play the way they did as long as they did was a heck of a performance from that perspective.”
The single point from the draw keeps Kansas City in second place in the MLS Western Conference standings, and they continue their streak of six unbeaten games.
Sporting Kansas City plays next at Los Angeles FC at 9 p.m. Sept. 3. Their next home game is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 against the Chicago Fire.
