Sporting KC thrashes Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park, setting up must-win match Saturday

Sporting KC took care of business, and then some, against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night, defeating the Western Conference’s third-best team 4-1 to keep its slim playoff chances alive.

Alan Pulido scored in the first and second halves, and Erik Thommy scored two goals of his own after coming into the game as a second-half substitute.

“We were on the front foot from the very get-go,” manager Peter Vermes said.

Michael Edwards added a consolation goal for the Rapids in the 75th minute.

With 8 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses, Sporting (31 points, four matches left) must pass three teams in the standings to get into playoff position. Minnesota (39 points, five matches left) occupies the final playoff spot.

Sporting came out of the gates looking to feast on the Rapids’ defense, which has given up the fourth-most goals in the West. In total, Sporting outshot the Rapids 31-6, the club’s highest shot total of the season.

Pulido said he felt Sporting’s desire to get forward was the result of a changed mentality and playing like a team.

“In the middle of the season, I think we play like individuals on the field,” Pulido said. “Now, we play and we fight for another.”

Vermes added the midfield duo of Memo Rodriguez and Zorhan Bassong set the foundation for the team’s success going forward.

“When the two guys in the midfield are as aggressive and biting as much as they were, it makes the game behind them predictable,” Vermes said. “For us, it helps us win a lot of balls high up the field.”

Sporting did, and the quick service forward put consistent pressure on the Rapids’ back line.

Pulido was the first beneficiary of that aggressiveness. A cross into the box intended for Willy Agada was cleared by a Rapids defender straight to Pulido, who made no mistake with a low and hard finish to goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s left-hand side.

Pulido added another in the 49th minute, which led to Vermes raving about how much Pulido looked like himself again.

As Pulido picked up the ball, four Rapids players were around him. He chopped onto his left foot and then his right before shooting past Steffen.

Pulido’s brace pushes his goal total (in all competitions) to eight, three of which have come in the last three games. Pulido has three goals and an assist in Sporting’s last five games in all competitions.

“In the last six weeks to two months, he’s been in really good form,” Vermes said. “And its great to see.”

Pulido credited his return to form on hard work and feeling strong and confident in his knee again.

“When I move on the field, when I receive the ball, when I try to turn, I think I feel strong right now,” Pulido said.

Erik Thommy replaced Pulido as a sub 10 minutes after his second goal. Shortly after coming on, Thommy made it 3-0 with a composed curled finish into the bottom corner.

While Sporting surrendered yet another set-piece goal in the 75th minute, a cheeky back-heel goal by Michael Edwards, it wouldn’t matter. Thommy scored again seven minutes later on a counterattack to put the game to bed.

Notably, all four goals came from the “No. 10” spot in the lineup (attacking midfielder), whoever was playing underneath Agada. Thommy credited Agada’s movement with opening up the spaces for both Sporting goalscorers on the night.

“(Agada) didn’t reward himself, but he worked for the team, and that’s what we need,” Thommy said. “Sometimes it’s not the goal scorer; it’s the players around them.”

Sporting KC is back at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night against Minnesota United for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. A win would narrow the gap between the two in the standings to five points. A loss would eliminate Sporting from playoff contention.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.