Paxten Aaronson scored two goals, and Rafael Navarro added a goal and an assist, leading the Colorado Rapids to a 4-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday.
Wayne Frederick scored the crucial goal just before halftime, with Darren Yapi assisting for the Rapids, who now have a record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws (9 points).
Shapi Suleymanov scored for Sporting KC, now at 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 draw (4 points), with an assist from Calvin Harris.
Just before halftime, Dante Sealy’s corner kick was saved by SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp, but he fell into the net, allowing Frederick to score the rebound and give Colorado a 2-1 lead.
Aaronson opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a chip over Pulskamp after receiving a pass from Yapi, putting the Rapids ahead 1-0. Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen, back after missing two games due to a shoulder injury, made a crucial kick save against Dejan Joveljic in the 15th minute. The Rapids had two shots turned away in the 19th minute after pulling Pulskamp out of position.
Suleymanov equalized for Sporting KC with a shot inside the near post in the 44th minute, assisted by Harris.
In the second half, Steffen saved another powerful shot from Suleymanov early on. Navarro’s sliding goal in the 71st minute gave Colorado a 3-1 lead.
The Rapids extended their lead when Navarro set up Aaronson for his second goal in the 75th minute, making it 4-1.
The match began with some rough play, as Manu Garcia received a yellow card in the fifth minute for being in front of a Colorado free kick. Both teams eventually found their rhythm, but each received three yellow cards. Colorado committed 21 fouls and Sporting KC 17, with the Rapids having a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal.
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