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Sporting KC looking to build on strong offensive start against Rapids
Two years ago, the Colorado Rapids were a step away from playing for the MLS Cup. The team that captured it all in 2010 was at the doorstep again, with only the Western Conference finals to get through.
The Rapids didn't get the job done in 2016, and the hangover from that close call seeped into the 2017 season. Colorado won only nine games last year, and it cost Pablo Mastroeni his job before the season ended.
The Rapids went with youth at the coaching position with the hiring of Anthony Hudson, 36, out of New Zealand. Hudson is the youngest coach in Rapids history and most recently led the New Zealand National team before resigning after the Kiwis failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Under Mastroeni, Colorado was a defensive-minded club, and if Hudson's past as a coach is any indication he will employ an attacking style.
Rapids fans will get their first MLS look at the team when Sporting KC is in town for a match Saturday night. Colorado hasn't played since losing at the New England Revolution 2-1 on March 10 while Sporting KC has gone 2-1 in its three matches.
Sporting Kansas City will be without forward Daniel Salloi, who is playing for the Hungarian Under-21 national team. Also not playing will be forward Gianluca Busio (eye) and defender/midfielder Brad Evans (back).
Despite the absences, Sporting KC has shown some strong offense after dropping its opener 2-0 to New York City FC. Midfielder Felipe Gutierrez has gotten off to a strong start for KC and has three of the team's seven goals early in the season.
"@SportingKC is flying high right now." ✈️⚽
Watch #SportingKC take on @ColoradoRapids tomorrow. Coverage starts at 7:30 p.m. on FSKC and FSGO. pic.twitter.com/emi6ctHzEL
— FOX Sports Kansas City (@FSKansasCity) March 23, 2018
Colorado (0-1) will be without defender Kortne Ford, who has a sprained MCL of the left knee, but that's the extent of the team's injuries.
The Rapids might get their first look at forward Joe Mason, who is on loan from Wolverhampton in England. He did not play in Colorado's opening loss after recently joining the team, but he has had two weeks to get integrated with the team, so he could be in the lineup Saturday night.
Because of the time lag between the first and second game, Colorado might feel like Saturday is another season opener. Mason wants to see more offense from his Rapids after scoring once March 10.
"There were a lot of positives, obviously it's gutting at the end to lose the way we did," Mason told the MLS website. "I think personally, myself, I want to bring goals to the team. That's what I'm all about. I want to get in the box and score goals. It's as simple as that really."
A win over Sporting KC will help put Colorado back on track to becoming a contender.
The memory of the 2016 playoff run is still fresh in the minds of the fans, so a good start to Saturday's match might put the excitement back in Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the 2018 season.
