Chris Armas is hoping the Colorado Rapids can present fireworks on the pitch after they welcome Sporting Kansas Metropolis to Dick’s Sporting Items Park on Independence Day.
The Rapids performed out an entertaining 3-3 draw with the New England Revolution final day trip, however have been left dissatisfied having let a three-goal lead slip from their grasp.
Maximiliano Urruti’s equaliser within the third minute of second-half stoppage time stopped the Rapids from recording back-to-back league wins for the primary time since mid-Could.
However Armas lauded his workforce for his or her efforts on the Gillette Stadium, and he’s hoping to placed on a present for the Colorado supporters to push them up the Western Convention desk.
“Clearly a giant sport for us developing,” Armas stated. “What these three factors would imply to us, particularly at house in entrance of our followers on the Fourth of July, it needs to be a very spectacular occasion.
“I do know it’s the largest fireworks show in Colorado, so with the festivities earlier than the sport, hopefully throughout the sport, after which after the sport, I feel it units as much as be a very good night time for us.
“However we wish to take from these previous couple of video games. We’ve scored seven targets in two video games. Two didn’t depend in opposition to the Galaxy, however we’ve acquired our assault transferring a bit bit.
“In fact, we’d have liked all of the factors in New England, however I used to be happy with the way in which the blokes stepped on the pitch. We went out to win, that was clear. The blokes stated we’re at house on any area, and I really like to listen to this.”
Prepare for a Friday stuffed with meals fútbol and fireworks
Have fun the vacation with the most important public fireworks present within the state, taking place solely at DICK’S Sporting Items Park!
Rapids followers, plan to reach early to keep away from crowds and please drive safely when leaving.
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 1, 2025
Sporting Kansas additionally performed out a draw of their final MLS fixture, sharing the spoils in opposition to Actual Salt Lake at Kids’s Mercy Park.
Former Kansas star Johnny Russell had given his new workforce the lead earlier than Erik Thommy netted a 59th-minute equaliser to depart them eighth within the standings.
And regardless of dropping factors, Kansas’ interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin was left impressed by his workforce’s never-say-die angle, having watched his facet play out the closing levels of the match with a person much less following Jake Davis’ purple card.
“I feel we acquired off to an OK begin, however because the half went on it felt like our form and our power grew to become a bit disorganised. The objective that was scored earlier than half-time by Salt Lake was deserved as a result of they have been on us,” Zavagnin stated.
“The half-time changes we made added one thing to the sport which modified a bit little bit of our formation, which we modified thrice. I feel as soon as we shifted a bit bit within the midfield, we acquired a bit extra of the sport.
“So, it’s simply one other instance that now we have a gaggle who by no means offers up, and it’s a credit score to them and what their mentality is as a result of on the day, you’re not going to be good in any sport.
“I really consider on the day we gave our greatest effort. It wasn’t our greatest efficiency however we gave our greatest effort, particularly within the second half.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado Rapids – Darren Yapi
Yapi had two assists in Colorado’s draw with New England, turning into the second Rapids participant this season with a multi-assist sport (Oliver Larraz, two in opposition to FC Dallas).
Previous to the Rapids’ final sport, the American had simply two profession assists in his 79 profession MLS matches (common season & playoffs).
Sporting KC – Manu Garcia
Garcia has delivered an help in 4 consecutive video games, tied for the second-longest help streak in MLS this season (Antony – 5 straight between April and Could).
He’s the primary Sporting Kansas participant to have 4 straight league matches with an help inside one season since Benny Feilhaber had additionally grabbed 4 in a row in 2016.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLORADO RAPIDS WIN
Colorado and Sporting Kansas will meet for the fourth time on U.S. Independence Day (2003, 2005, 2024) with the Rapids profitable all three earlier matches.
Colorado are SKC’s most typical Fourth of July opponent, whereas the Rapids have solely confronted off with the New York Pink Bulls extra on the vacation (5 occasions).
The Rapids even have 14 victories of their 26 all-time Independence Day matches (D5 L7). That’s the second-most Fourth of July wins by any MLS workforce, behind solely the LA Galaxy’s 15.
Sporting Kansas, nonetheless, are unbeaten in every of their final 4 matches by which they’ve trailed at half-time (W1 D3). They haven’t had an extended such streak since a six-game run within the 2011 season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Colorado Rapids – 41.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Sporting KC – 31.4%