Sporting KC eager to pick up steam vs. Rapids

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st March, 06:26 2026

Mar 14, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Lasse Berg Johnsen (4) celebrates his goal during the second half against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images

With both teams led by first-year coaches, Sporting Kansas City host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in Kansas City, Kan.

After a last-place finish in the Western Conference table in 2025, Sporting KC (1-2-1, 4 points) hired Raphael Wicky to turn around the team's fortunes. Kansas City picked up its first win under Wicky, a 2-1 decision at the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday.

Dejan Joveljic scored in first-half stoppage time and Lasse Berg Johnsen netted what proved to be the game-winner in the 74th minute. The Galaxy found the back of the net in the 82nd minute.

"In terms of togetherness, of trying to be a team when we are in possession, when we aren't in possession, when we press high, when we are suffering together in a low block, we have to have everyone helping each other," Wicky said. "When you have that foundation with talent you can win football games ...We need to keep working on the culture and togetherness and what we want to do on the field."

Meanwhile, the Rapids' two-match winning streak was snapped with a 3-1 loss at Eastern Conference co-leader New York City FC last Saturday. Darren Yapi scored off an assist from Rafael Navarro for Colorado.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen missed his second straight match with a shoulder injury, and is listed as day-to-day.

Even though the Rapids (2-2-0, 6 points) maintained 59.3% of the possession, they couldn't net the equalizer against NYCFC. Colorado coach Matt Wells said Rob Holding and Keegan Rosenberry used well-placed passes to set up midfielder Paxten Aaronson with transition opportunities.

While he said Colorado arrived in better attacking positions than NYCFC, the Rapids' leading scorers, Navarro and Yapi, who each have two goals on the season, "weren't able to find the right action."

"We are an attacking team that is going to create numerous opportunities for our wingers and forwards because of the nature at which we play," Wells said. "We attack with numbers; we attack with speed. Which is exactly the team we want to be.

"I want more from both those guys (Navarro and Yapi) and will keep demanding it. They have incredible potential and great mindsets."

-Field Level Media

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