Uganda Cranes’ Micheal Azira and his Colorado Rapids’ colleagues finally rejoiced with their first win since mid-may on Saturday following their 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The winner was Kortne Ford’s first professional goal 11 minutes into the match.
Kortne got on the end of a perfectly placed cross by Shkelzen Gashi after Dominique Badji was taken down just outside the box.
Ford anticipated the ball well and redirected his header to the bottom left corner to give the home side the early lead.
Ugandan Azira featured for the whole match.
Dillon Powers paired with Micheal Azira in the center of the field, and Badji went up top as the second forward.
The Rapids (3-8-1; 10 points) will play their second of four consecutive home matches next Saturday night against Columbus Crew SC.
Colorado Rapids: Tim Howard; Marlon Hairston (Mekeil Williams 86’), Bobby Burling, Kortne Ford, Eric Miller (Mike da Fonte HT); Mohammed Saeid (Joshua Gatt 76’), Micheal Azira, Dillon Powers, Shkëlzen Gashi; Dominique Badji, Kevin Doyle. Subs not used: Zac MacMath, Sam Hamilton, Dillon Serna, Alan Gordon.
Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi, Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza, Jimmy Medranda (Soony Saad 74’), Benny Feilhaber, Gerso Fernandez; Latif Blessing. Subs not used: Andrew Dykstra, Igor Juliao, Saad Abdul-Salaam, Soni Mustivar, Cameron Porter, Daniel Salloi.
ATTENDANCE: 17,648