MLS Match Preview: Sporting Kansas City (6-15-6) vs. Colorado Rapids (10-12-6)

Weather Outlook

Forecast at Kickoff: ~82°F (28°C), partly cloudy, humidity ~60%, light SSE winds 5–7 mph

Impact: Warm, humid conditions could slow tempo late; minimal wind effect on aerial balls

Injury & Availability Report

Sporting Kansas City

Out: Joaquin Fernandez (hamstring), Manu Garcia (thigh), Erik Thommy (hip)

Questionable: Alan Montes (knock), Memo Rodriguez (fitness)

Notes: Interim coach Kerry Zavagnin may rotate after 5-2 loss at Seattle; Dejan Joveljic remains the focal point in attack

Colorado Rapids

Out: Wayne Frederick (shoulder), Connor Ronan (ankle), Josh Atencio (undisclosed)

Suspended: Reggie Cannon (yellow card accumulation)

Notes: Rafael Navarro in strong form (9 goals in last 12 apps); Paxten Aaronson and Rafael Santos pushing for more minutes after debuts

Projected Starting XIs

Sporting Kansas City (4-4-2)
Pulskamp (GK); Shelton, Voloder, Miller, Leibold; Salloi, Bassong, Davis, Munoz; Joveljic, Toye

Colorado Rapids (4-2-3-1)
Steffen (GK); Rosenberry, Maxsø, Cobb, Vines; Bassett, Larraz; Harris, Yapi, Ku-DiPietro; Navarro

Key Player Matchups

Dejan Joveljic (SKC) vs. Andreas Maxsø (COL) – Joveljic leads SKC with 14 goals; Maxsø’s aerial dominance will be tested.

Daniel Salloi (SKC) vs. Keegan Rosenberry (COL) – Salloi’s creativity and cut-ins from the left against Rosenberry’s defensive positioning.

Rafael Navarro (COL) vs. Robert Voloder (SKC) – Navarro’s hold-up play and finishing form could trouble a leaky SKC backline.

Cole Bassett (COL) vs. Remi Walter (SKC) – Bassett’s late runs from midfield vs. Walter’s defensive coverage.

Recent Team Form

Sporting Kansas City – Last 6 MLS: L L L L D L

Winless in last 6 (0-1-5), conceding 18 goals in that span

Home: 3-6-4 (20 GF, 26 GA)

Last win: July 4 at Colorado (2–1)

Colorado Rapids – Last 6 MLS: W W L D L L

Lost 3 of last 4; 1 win in last 11 away matches (1-3-7)

Away: 3-4-6 (15 GF, 24 GA)

Last win: Aug. 10 at Minnesota (2–1)

Series History

All-Time (All Comps): SKC leads 37W – 32L – 22D

Regular Season: SKC 31W – 27L – 19D

At Children’s Mercy Park: SKC 24W – 7L – 6D (best home record vs. any MLS charter club)

Recent: SKC has won last 2 meetings, including 2–1 away on July 4, 2025; Rapids last won in KC on April 8, 2023 (1–0)

Betting Trends

Sporting KC:

0-4-2 last 6 overall; conceded 3+ goals in 4 of last 6

4-1-1 in last 6 home H2H vs. COL

46% of goals scored after 60th minute

Colorado Rapids:

1-3-7 in last 11 away matches

Conceded in 7 straight MLS matches

BTTS in 3 of last 5 H2H meetings

H2H Totals:

Over 2.5 in 4 of last 6 meetings

SKC scored 2+ in 5 of last 6 home H2Hs

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Team xG: SKC 1.42 GF / 1.96 GA; COL 1.36 GF / 1.57 GA

Home/away splits & form streaks

Key absences (Thommy, Cannon)

Historical home dominance by SKC