Sporting Kansas City 2 - 0 Rapids
Final
  for this game

Colorado falls to Sporting in nightmare match

Oct 31, 2011 - 1:46 AM Commerce City, CO (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City claimed a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday in what turned out to be a nightmare of a match for Rapids head coach Gary Smith.

Smith was forced to make three substitutions because of injuries, two of which came in the opening period. His side also played a man down for much of the second half after Tyrone Marshall was sent off in the 57th minute for bringing down Teal Bunbury in the box, denying a goal scoring opportunity.

It was Bunbury who provided the deadly scoring touch for Sporting, notching a second-half brace to give Kansas City a comfortable advantage heading back home for the return leg.

Bunbury opened the scoring in the 49th minute with calm finish after tracking down a through ball from Julio Cesar.

The Sporting striker then doubled the lead ten minutes later, as he not only drew a foul from Marshall in the box, but converted the ensuing spot kick to ensure the road win.

With scoring chances at a premium, neither goalkeeper was called into action often.

But the biggest save on the night came in second-half stoppage time when Matt Pickens denied Sporting a third goal, saving a breakaway from Davy Arnaud to give Colorado a glimmer of hope going into the second leg.

Sporting will host Colorado for the rematch on Wednesday at Livestrong Sporting Park, a venue where play has been largely dominated by the home side. Kansas City posted a 9-2-6 record at home during the regular season.






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