KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City is set to face the Colorado Rapids on July 4th at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The match will begin at 8:30 p.m. CT and can be viewed through an MLS Season Pass or Apple TV+ subscription. English commentary will be provided by Jessica Charman and Jalil Anibaba, while Spanish commentary will feature Jesus Acosta and Carlos Suarez. Fans can also listen to live radio coverage on Sports Radio 810 WHB.

The teams have met 90 times in all competitions, with Sporting KC having secured a 4-1 victory in their last encounter on September 18, 2024. Erik Thommy was instrumental in that win and recently scored a game-tying goal against Real Salt Lake, earning him MLS Team of the Matchday honors alongside goalkeeper John Pulskamp.

Colorado's Nico Hansen made eight saves last weekend as the Rapids drew 3-3 with New England Revolution. Hansen has been covering for injured U.S. MNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen since May. Cole Bassett and Djordje Mihailovic were also absent due to injuries; Mihailovic leads the team with eight goals this season.

Sporting's Dejan Joveljic and Manu Garcia are in strong form ahead of Friday's match. Joveljic has scored or assisted in six consecutive games, ranking third in MLS with 11 goals this year. Garcia leads Sporting KC with nine assists and ranks among league leaders in several passing categories.

Kerry Zavagnin of Sporting KC and Chris Armas of Colorado Rapids will meet as head coaches for the first time. Both teams have players suspended for this match: Reggie Cannon from Colorado due to caution accumulation and Jake Davis from Sporting due to a red card.

Sporting KC aims to break an 11-game winless streak at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, having last won there in March 2014.