KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Despite trailing by two scores in the aggregate-goal series, there was hope for the Rapids as they entered the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals with Sporting Kansas City.

If the Rapids could get a quick score Wednesday night, maybe they would see Sporting Kansas City tighten up, leaving the hope of a come-from-behind series win alive.

Instead, it was Kansas City that struck first in its 2-0 (4-0 aggregate) victory over Colorado.

“I think everyone in the locker room believed we could win,” Colorado defender Wells Thompson said. “(The third goal) took a little of the wind out of our sails, though. It was definitely a blow, but we still believed.”

The conditions made a comeback even tougher. The game was played in miserable conditions at Livestrong Sporting Park. Temperatures dipped into the 30s while a steady rain fell throughout the match.

If the weather and deficit weren’t enough, the Rapids also entered the second leg of the series as an injury-depleted team.

Colorado faced off against Kansas City with a makeshift back line, missing three injured defenders. Their impact was felt as both Sporting Kansas City goals came on free kicks.

Graham Zusi connected with Aurelien Collin in the 28th minute to open the scoring. Zusi in a free kick placed the ball 6 yards in front of the goal and Collin was able to win a header with Rapids keeper Matt Pickens, redirecting the ball past Pickens and into the net.

On Sporting Kansas City’s second goal, Zusi picked up a second assist, serving the ball to C.J. Sapong, who headed it in from 17 yards in the 76th minute.

“Anything you do as a team is always affected when you lose so many senior players,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “I honestly thought the back four tonight did a wonderful job. This (Kansas City) front trio is bloody lively.”

Thompson added having a change in personnel added to the difficulties against the Sporting front line.

“We have guys capable enough to step in and play, but it’s hard, especially when you haven’t played that much,” Thompson said. “We missed a lot of leaders out there tonight.”

The offense for Colorado seemed to have just as many problems as the defense. The Rapids went without a goal in the final 225 minutes of the season. Colorado’s last goal came in the first-half stoppage time of the first round of the playoffs.

Regardless of what obstacles the Rapids were faced with, Smith was quick to point out those things won’t be remembered when the series is reviewed.

“Yes, we’ve been affected by injuries, but you know the score line in six weeks’ time or two weeks’ time will suggest we were beaten four-nil over the two legs and they got through. That’s it,” Smith said.

Colorado 0 0 — 0



Sporting Kansas City 1 1 — 2



First half — 1, Sporting Kansas City, Collin 4 (Zusi), 28th minute.

Second half — 2, Sporting Kansas City, Sapong 6 (Zusi), 76th.

Goalies — Colorado, Matt Pickens; Sporting Kansas City, Jimmy Nielsen.

Yellow cards — Nane, Colorado, 27th; Espinoza, Sporting Kansas City, 35th; Julio Cesar, Sporting Kansas City, 45th+; Comminges, Colorado, 55th; Arnaud, Sporting Kansas City, 65th; Mullan, Colorado, 76th; Nyassi, Colorado, 90th+.

A — 18,565 (18,500).