Capping off the first of two Arizona-based preseason training camps, Colorado Rapids Soccer club fell 2-0 to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.
With temperatures in the mid-80s, new head coach Anthony Hudson selected a starting 11 which featured captain Tim Howard, as well Stefan Aigner, Dominique Badji, Nana Boateng, Edgar Castillo, Kortne Ford, Marlon Hairston, Eric Miller, Axel Sjöberg and Sam Hamilton. Rounding out the starters was the club’s fourth round draft pick, Niki Jackson, who spent his collegiate years at nearby Grand Canyon University.
Playing in just their second preseason scrimmage under Hudson, the Rapids started strong, nearly taking the lead on an early header from Badji.