Rubio's injury-time goal lifts Sporting to draw with Rapids

By: The Associated Press

Sunday, March 25, 2018 12:05 AM

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) Diego Rubio scored a stoppage-time goal after entering the game in the 88th minute to give Sporting Kansas City a 2-2 tie with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.

Gerso Fernandes fed Khiry Shelton, who back-heeled it to Rubio for the side-netter in the first minute of stoppage time.

Dominique Badji's volley of a cross by Edgar Castillo opened the scoring for Colorado (0-1-1) and Joe Mason made it 2-0 in the eighth minute. Mason slipped behind the defense, ran onto a long pass from Tommy Smith and shielded a defender before cutting back to evade goalkeeper Tim Melia and rolling it into an empty net.

Felipe Gutierrez scored his fourth goal in as many games this season to pull Sporting (2-1-1) within 2-1 in the 57th. Yohan Croizet's header bounced off the post and Gutierrez poked home the rebound from near the penalty spot.

Tim Howard had seven saves for Colorado.

Rubio's injury-time goal lifts Sporting to draw with Rapids

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, left, argues with a referee after being given a yellow card in the second half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City, Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell, back, congratulates Smidfielder Felipe Gutierrez after he scored a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. The teams played to a 2-2 tie. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Sporting Kansas City forward Gerso, right, tries to control the ball as Colorado Rapids defender Bismark Adjei-Boateng defends in the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Rapids defender Deklan Wynne, left, holds Sporting Kansas City midfielder Yohan Croizet who tries to move the ball down the pitch in the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Rapids coach Anthony Hudson argues a call during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. The teams played to a 2-2 tie. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, right, greets Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler, left, as they take the pitch in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes acknowledges fans as he takes the pitch to lead his team against the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia directs his teammates against the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes argues for a call while facing the Colorado Rapids in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Rapids forward Joe Mason, right, kisses his arm after scoring a goal against Sporting Kansas City as Rapids midfielder Johan Blomberg follows in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Colorado Rapids forward Joe Mason, right, scores a goal past Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler, back left, and goalkeeper Tim Melia in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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