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Rapids bunker their way to one-goal win over Sporting KC

 

Photo by Chris Humphreys /USA Today Sports

The Colorado Rapids have relied on defense for the past several years and, on Saturday, it was the backline that once again won Pablo Mastroeni’s side a match.

A single goal from Homegrown rookie Kortne Ford was all that was required for the Rapids to top Sporting KC, 1-0. The win is just the Rapids’ second in 11 games while the loss in Sporting KC’s second in as many matches.

The rookie defender’s goal came in the 11th minute. In Ford’s fifth career start, the defender got on the end of a Shkelzen Gashi free kick to score what proved to be the game’s lone goal.

It wasn’t for Sporting KC’s lack of trying. The visitors fired a whopping 25 shots on the day compared with just six from the Rapids. Benny Feilhaber led the way with seven total shots while midfielder Ilie Sanchez was the lone Sporting KC player to not fire an effort at goal. Sporting KC also maintained 73 percent of possession, but could never break down a typically stingy Rapids backline.

Despite the barrage of shots, Tim Howard was forced into just a single save while Tim Melia made two on the other end.

Matters went from bad to worse for Sporting KC late as Roger Espinoza was issued a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Sporting KC looms to break out of their funk ahead of a match against Minnesota United while the Rapids now face a match against the Columbus Crew.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kortne Ford scored a goal on one end and helped ensure there would be none scored on the other, maintaining an impressive clean sheet.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Ford’s header proved all the was needed as the Rapids held on for a narrow win.

MATCH TO FORGET

As if the result wasn’t bad enough, it will linger a bit longer as Roger Espinoza now faces suspension.

 

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