Interim Sporting Kansas City coach Kerry Zavagnin will contemplate tactical changes for Saturday's matchup with the Colorado Rapids, following a heavy defeat last time out.

Sporting were beaten 5-2 by the Seattle Sounders last week, a result that leaves them 13th in the Western Conference standings.

They are 11 points adrift of the play-in spots with just seven regular-season games to play, and 12 points back of the final automatic qualification spot for the playoffs.

"We need to evaluate the players that will be coming back into the group. A formation at the end of the day is just four numbers put together," Zavagnin said.

"It's how we defend the goal, it's how we possess the ball and make efficient attacks going forward... that's what a balanced team is and that's what a complete team is. 

"That's something we've been battling over the course of the season. Our focus still is no different from any other week. 

"Whether you lose 5-2 or you win 3-0, it doesn't really matter. You try to get better starting Tuesday to get ready for the next opponent."

Colorado, meanwhile, are seventh in the West and currently on course to make the playoffs.

Chris Armas' team were thrashed 3-0 by the LA Galaxy in their last MLS game, however, following back-to-back victories over Minnesota United and Atlanta United.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Sporting KC – Dejan Joveljic

Joveljic has scored 14 goals in MLS this season, at least eight more than any other Sporting player.

He also leads the club's charts for shots (51) and shots on target (30), though he was shut out against Seattle last time out.

Colorado Rapids – Sam Vines

Vines completed all 43 passes he attempted against LA Galaxy on Saturday, the fourth-most by a Rapids player in a match since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010. 

Since 2018, only Alex Maxso (46/46 against the San Jose Earthquakes in June 2023) has completed as many with 100% accuracy in a match for Colorado.

MATCH PREDICTION – SPORTING KC WIN

Sporting Kansas City have won their last two meetings with Colorado, including a 2-1 victory on July 4. 

They have not won three or more in a row against the Rapids in all competitions since enjoying a four-match run between 2012 and 2015.

Sporting have lost four straight matches, including a 5-2 defeat to the in-form Seattle Sounders last Sunday. 

They have only had one longer losing streak in all competitions since 2020, a 10-match run from 2024 to 2025.

But home advantage makes them slight favourites, especially as Colorado have won just one of their last 11 away matches in all competitions dating back to April (D3 L7), a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United on August 10. 

That win over the Loons is the only match in that time in which the Rapids held their opponent to fewer than two goals.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sporting KC – 40.6%

Colorado Rapids – 32.7%

Draw – 26.6%