COMMERCE CITY — If Rapids center back Kortne Ford couldn’t make his MLS debut in a home game, last Sunday’s match at Sporting Kansas City was the next best place for it. Ford grew up just across the Missouri River in Olathe, Kan., before moving to Colorado when he was 12.

“It was incredible,” Ford said. “I think I had 32 family members come out and watch, so that was awesome, to play in front of them, and play for the Rapids.”

But the trip brought him back to the scene of heartbreaking memories. Ford had a physically abusive father, and when his mother found out what was happening she won sole custody and moved to Greeley with him.

“Up until about 10 or 11 years old, I didn’t know there was anything wrong with it,” Ford said of his father, with whom he had spent every other weekend. “I thought that’s how all fathers treated their kids. I tell people I was a Transformer. I was happy and energetic around my mom, then (with his father), I was quiet. I only addressed him ‘Yes, sir,’ scared to mess up. It was a frightening time.”

Ford, who came up through the Rapids Academy and was signed as a “homegrown player” in January, adores his mother. That’s where he wants stories about his childhood to focus.

“Most people like to pay attention to the first 12 years of my life, the abusive situation, but it should be highlighted with my mom,” said Ford, who attended Greeley Central High School. “She’s incredible.”

They found more heartbreak in Greeley. Soon after they got there his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. While enduring chemotherapy, she would drive her son from Greeley to south Denver once or twice a day for soccer practice. She beat that cancer, but this year she was diagnosed with Stage 4 bone cancer.

“They gave her a year,” Ford said, “so that’s rough.”

He also recently lost an aunt, who he calls his “other mom,” to liver cancer. His Aunt Jo lived with them and helped his mom raise him.

Ford, 21, played three seasons for the University of Denver. After signing in January with the Rapids he figured to be a backup this season, but standout center back Axel Sjoberg is out for six to eight weeks because of an injury, so Ford started in his place last Sunday. Coach Pablo Mastroeni loves Ford’s attitude. Related Articles September 16, 2020 Three Points: Rapids rocked by Dallas as four-match unbeaten streak ends

September 15, 2020 Invigorated Rapids head to Texas with momentum for match against new-look FC Dallas

September 13, 2020 Three Points: Rapids take Rocky Mountain Cup for first time in 5 years

September 12, 2020 Diego Rubio scores 2 goals, Rapids beat Real Salt Lake 5-0

September 11, 2020 Colorado Rapids looking for first win at Rio Tinto as they travel to Salt Lake City

“The one thing you can’t give people is determination and work ethic,” Mastroeni said. “That’s all a byproduct of the way he was raised and some of the circumstances he experienced as a young man. He won’t stop until he makes it. He pulled me aside and said, ‘I don’t take criticism hard, I take criticism as a way to get better. I want to be the very best I can be.’ ”

Professionally he is living his dream, but his mother’s diagnosis weighs heavily.

“I can remember back in elementary school, telling people ‘I want to be a pro,’ ” Ford said. “Some people laughed, some giggled, some didn’t believe it. I achieved that goal, and it wouldn’t have happened without my mom’s help. Her diagnosis motivates me to be a better person, and to have a chip on my shoulder. I have something to fight for.

“She knew it was a huge goal of mine, and she put so much into it. The least I can do is go out and fight and be appreciative for the moment I have.”

Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

TV/Radio: ALT; 950 AM, 87.7 FM

Spotlight on Kyle Beckerman: Fifteen years ago Beckerman and Pablo Mastroeni — each a fiery, young midfielder — came to the Rapids from the Miami Fusion in a dispersal draft. Now Beckerman is in his 18th MLS season at age 34, and he is the all-time MLS leader in games (411) and minutes played (34,175). He also has become a solid part of the U.S. men’s national team. The former Rapids fan favorite was traded to RSL in 2007 and has been just as feisty for RSL as he once was for Colorado. Beckerman played well for the U.S. as a defensive midfielder in all three group-stage matches of the 2014 World Cup, but coach Jürgen Klinsman benched him in a round-of-16 match against Belgium. That backfired, as Tim Howard had to face 17 shots on goal in a 2-1 loss that eliminated the U.S.

NOTEBOOK

Real Salt Lake: RSL (1-3-2, 0-2-1 on the road) went scoreless in three of its first four games, and coach Jeff Cassar was fired March 20 after an 0-2-1 start. Two weeks ago he was replaced by former Rapids defender Mike Petke, a Colorado starter when the Rapids moved into Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007. … RSL has scored five goals in its last two games, including a 3-0 home decision last week against Vancouver that was played in a snowstorm. … Armenian striker Yura Movsisyan is RSL’s leading scorer (three), and he has five goals in nine games against Colorado. … RSL has won the Rocky Mountain Cup eight of the past 10 seasons, the exceptions being 2013 and 2015.

Colorado: The Rapids (1-2-1, 1-0-1 at home) are coming off a 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City last Sunday that followed a three-week layoff. Now they’ve had a short week to prepare for their intermountain rival. … Striker Kevin Doyle scored his first goal of the season at SKC, a penalty kick in stoppage time. … The Rapids are in ninth place in the Western Conference with just four points, but they have only played four games. Most teams in MLS have played five or six. … The Rapids are tied for last in goals scored (four), but only three teams have allowed fewer goals. … One alarming number: FC Dallas, which also has played only four games, is in second place with 10 points and is 3-0-1. … After RSL, the Rapids face road games at Minnesota and Orlando, and won’t be home again until May 5 vs. Vancouver.