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The Colorado Rapids will welcome Sporting Kansas City to Commerce City on Wednesday evening. A solid month of April followed by a promising start to May has seen the Rocky Mountain side climb not only the Western Conference table, but the top of the Supporter's Shield standings. Not a lot of people would have predicted this brilliant start, but let's not get carried away as the season is still in its early stages.
Colorado (6-2-2, 20 pts) are fresh off a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on the weekend. Jermaine Jones was the difference on the evening that also leveled the season series between the two rivals in regards to the Rocky Mountain Cup. Rapids goalkeeper Zac MacMath was outstanding on the evening and Colorado will face a Sporting KC side that has not won in their past six games.
Sporting KC (4-5-2, 14 pts) were on the wrong end of a 2-0 loss against Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday evening. Giles Barnes and Andrew Wegner both scored and lifted Houston to just their second win of the season. Not even a Brad Davis return to BBVA Compass Stadium could create a spark for Sporting as they slumped to defeat.
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni was all smiles after his team defeated RSL, but the former Colorado legend continued to stress calm as the club currently leads the Western Conference, and the league for that matter. Another win at home would do a long way to keep the club morale high. The month of May is also critical for the Rapids as the month of June will showcase some international tournaments, and a few Rapids players will be representing their respective national sides.