With just two (road) games remaining on the regular season schedule and the team fully entrenched in last place in the Western Conference, it would be hard to blame the Colorado Rapids if they brought a lackluster effort to close out the year. Even with two wins, Colorado cannot escape last pace in the conference. So what’s left to play for, besides pride?
Well, for one thing, Colorado could still be a major factor in the playoff race, with the opportunity to possibly play spoiler for two different clubs in their remaining two games.
The Rapids and Sporting KC are the only teams in MLS with two games remaining on their schedules and will square off on Wednesday night at Sporting Park in Kansas City. SKC needs a win in just one of their final two games to clinch a playoff spot.
That will be a tall order for Colorado, who brings a lifetime 3-18-5 record in Kansas City, with the clubs last win being more than 13 years ago. On a brighter note, Colorado has so far split the season series with SKC, with each team having won at home.
Kevin Doyle scored the winner in the Rapids’ win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, which was Colorado’s first win in 10 regular season meetings (and 12 including postseason) over Kansas City. Since that win, sadly, the Rapids have gone 0-5-1.
On Sunday, the Rapids will close out the season at Portland, again with a chance to end someone’s season on a sour note. The Timbers need a win or tie against Colorado to ensure a playoff berth.
Two teams are lingering on the periphery and could stand to benefit from a strong close to the season by Colorado. Seattle controls its own destiny with a win against Real Salt Lake, but could use help from Colorado.
San Jose, meanwhile, needs a great deal of help from Colorado in order to advance. Even with a win of their own, the Earthquakes need Colorado to pick up a win in Portland or a win/tie in Kansas City plus a second loss/tie from SKC.
It’s not the scenario head coach Pablo Mastroeni expected his Colorado Rapids to be in at this point in the season, but these scenarios at least give his club a possible tangible outcome for their efforts in the final two days.
As one of the three Western Conference teams already out of playoff contention, Colorado has the opportunity to turn the tables on two other clubs and send them into the offseason with a similarly sour taste in their mouths.
Playoff scenario graphics courtesy of MLS.com
