Rapids 1 - 1 Sporting Kansas City
Final
  for this game

Rapids hold onto draw in Kansas City

Jul 7, 2011 - 2:51 AM Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City extended its unbeaten run in league play to nine games on Wednesday at Livestrong Sporting Park with a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids.

But one point very easily could have become three for the hosts.

The first half saw Colorado seize the lead in the 32nd minute through Conor Casey as he took down a long ball from Tyrone Marshall and turned with it 20 yards from goal. Casey then ripped a left-footed shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen to make it 1-0.

Sporting picked things up in the second half and nearly capitalized on a chance in the 62nd minute when Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens came off his line to punch the ball clear. It only got as far as Julio Cesar 14 yards from goal, but he failed to hit the target with Pickens out of position.

However, it took less than a minute for the game to be leveled as substitute C.J. Sapong forced a save from Pickens, who spilled a rebound that Graham Zusi pounced on and fired home from close range.

The hosts had two great chances to claim all three points over the final 15 minutes, but both times the woodwork came to the rescue of the Rapids.

Omar Bravo created the first by following up his own shot and smacking the rebound off the post, while Sapong nearly stole three points deep into stoppage time when his deflected shot was kept out by a brilliant save from Pickens, who reacted well to tip the ball off the crossbar.

The Rapids have drawn their last two games, but remain winless in four straight matches.






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