Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell (7) takes a shot that was blocked by Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty (5) during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Colorado's Jonathan Lewis and Sporting Kansas City's Jonny Russell scored first-half goals in a 1-1 tie Saturday night in a showdown between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Lewis scored in the 17th minute for Colorado (11-4-5) after a defender blocked his initial shot in the box. Kansas City (11-4-7) tied it when Russell bent in a free kick from just above the circle in the 41st minute.
In the 88th minute a sliding Russell got his foot on the ball but defender Austin Trusty cleared if off the line, depriving Sporting KC a chance to move into a first-place tie with Seattle.
In stoppage time, Cole Bassett hit the cross bar from tight quarters, which would have allowed the third-place Rapids to leapfrog Kansas City.
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Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza, left, kicks the ball past Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza, left, kicks the ball past Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar, right, and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gadi Kinda (17) battle for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell, right, passes the ball over Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty (5) during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis (7) celebrates after getting past Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia, right, to score a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis, left, celebrates after getting past Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia, right, to score a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis (7) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis (7) celebrates after getting past Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia, right, to score a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids midfielder Jack Price (19) talks to an official as he comes off the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Associated Press