Why Sporting KC’s win over Colorado was memorable for 2 of the club’s big names

It had been more than a decade since Sporting KC earned a road win against the Colorado Rapids. On Friday night, Erik Thommy delivered a goal and an assist to lead Sporting to a win at mile high.

Rafael Navarro’s penalty kick made it 2-1 late, but Sporting hung on to earn its sixth win of 2025.

And its first win at Colorado since 2014.

“I think this is just another example of the guys giving everything they have,” SKC interim coach Kerry Zavagnin said. “It’s possible that Colorado could be left wanting a little bit more from the game. But I’m incredibly proud of the guys in how we’ve dealt with a lot of the adversity.”

The win brings Sporting’s record to 6-10-5 with 23 points through 21 games. SKC is now just three points away from Colorado and Austin FC for the final playoff spot.

In recent weeks, Sporting has had to come from behind to earn results. But not on Friday.

Zavagnin said the game plan was to be aggressive from the start.

“I think Deki (Dejan Joveljic) in how he pressured the ball, not just on (the first goal) but throughout the game, was instrumental in us getting not just players behind the ball, but preserving the win,” Zavagnin said.

Sure enough, Sporting’s first goal in the July 4 matchup came as a result of the team’s high press. Joveljic and Thommy pressured Rapids goalkeeper Nico Hansen and caused a misplayed pass. Thommy picked up the loose ball and passed it to Joveljic, who had a tap-in to an empty net.

Djordje Mihailovic had two golden chances for the Rapids, including one from the penalty spot after John Pulskamp fouled him while scrambling for a rebound. The penalty clanged off the post to Pulskamp’s right.

Less than 10 minutes later, Mihailovic’s shot from distance hit the inside of the post to Pulskamp’s left and rolled along the goal line before going out of play.

Sporting KC players may have felt a little lucky to avoid conceding, and it certainly felt like they’d need to find a second goal to get out of Colorado with a result. They scored their second less than 10 minutes into the second half.

Pulskamp’s long kick to Thommy was taken down expertly by the attacker, who picked up the ball and cut inside — through multiple Rapids defenders — to rip a shot into the bottom corner..

It was Thommy’s second goal in as many games, and his fourth of the 2025 season.

It was also the second assist by Pulskamp this season.

“We need to play him at the No. 10,” Thommy joked of Pulskamp. “It was a long ball, a great ball to me, and then I was lucky to score.”

Pulskamp is the first goalkeeper in club history to have multiple assists in a season. He joined Tony Meola as the only goalkeepers to have multiple assists in their time with the club.

Sporting’s goalkeeper also recorded seven saves. In the last three games, Pulskamp has made 19 saves and only conceded three goals.

“We were lucky,” said Thommy. “We’re lucky that we have John.”

It looked like Sporting KC would coast to the 2-0 win, but an ill-advised tackle from young center back Ian James sent the Rapids to the spot, and this time they converted. Navarro stutter-stepped multiple times in his run-up and got Pulskamp to go the wrong way.

Sporting clung to the 2-1 lead through six minutes of stoppage time and exhaled after the final whistle.

Up next: Sporting Kansas City hosts the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, July 12, with kickoff at 7:40 p.m. from Children’s Mercy Park.

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

This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM with the headline "Why Sporting KC’s win over Colorado was memorable for 2 of the club’s big names."