KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Preston Burpo recorded his first shutout in more than a year, helping the Rapids secure a road point with a scoreless draw against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night.
Burpo, a veteran backup filling in for the injured Matt Pickens (right knee sprain), made three saves for his shutout since a 2-0 home victory over Chicago on Sept. 14, 2008.
Burpo got some clutch help from defender Kosuke Kimura, who cleared Zoltan Hercegfalvi’s shot after a corner kick in the 80th minute.
Kansas City’s Kevin Hartman had three saves for his seventh shutout of the year.
Colorado (10-8-9) tied for the third straight time and is winless in its last four matches.
Kansas City (8-11-7) has lost just once in its last five.
Each team had plenty of chances, but neither could finish. The Wizards outshot the Rapids 18-12, with a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.
The last good chance for either team to win came halfway through second-half stoppage time, when the Wizards’ Kei Kamara broke free on the left wing and fired a long cross into the penalty area. Davy Arnaud made a long run at a dead sprint but could not connect with the pass.
Colorado 0 0 — 0
Kansas City 0 0 — 0 First half — None.
Second half — None.
Goalies — Colorado, Preston Burpo; Kansas City, Kevin Hartman.
Yellow cards — Ballouchy, Colorado, 74th; Harrington, Kansas City, 75th; Kimura, Colorado, 96th+; Casey, Colorado, 100th+.
Referee — Silvio Petrescu. Assistant referees — Kermit Quisenberry. Sean Hurd. 4th official — Chris Penso.
A — 9,784 (10,385).
