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Records tumbled and history was re-written at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night, as the Colorado Rapids defeated Houston Dynamo 3-2.
In claiming only their second-ever victory in Houston, the Rapids guaranteed at least a second place finish in the Western Conference, which is the highest they have ever managed.
The win took the Rapids to 54 points, setting a new highest points tally and a best points-per-game average for a season.
And in downing the Dynamo, the Colorado Rapids are now just two points behind league-leading FC Dallas, but still have a game in hand, which is the home game against San Jose Earthquakes this coming Thursday.
It was pretty much all Rapids for the opening 40 minutes. They controlled the tempo and bossed the possession. Their cause was helped hugely by a goal after 12 minutes from the right boot of Dominique Badji. He connected with ball over the top from Dillon Powers, and guided it inside the far post.
Houston, needing to win to mathematically stay in the playoff picture, were cast a lifeline moments before the break. Mauro Manotas was afforded space in the penalty area, and punished the Rapids with a first-time shot from a Sheanon Williams cross.
As expected, Houston came out hot after the break, but it was the cool head of Badji that bagged the next goal, for the Rapids, with a delightful and delicate chip over Joe Willis, having again been released by Powers.
The Rapids were granted a two-goal cushion 11 minutes from time when Shkëlzen Gashi smashed in his eighth of the season, thanks to a first-ever MLS assist for Micheal Azira. That comfort was short-lived, as Manotas dragged it back to 3-2 on 81 minutes with a free kick that zipped along the ground and took a teasing deflection on its way past Tim Howard.
Howard was called upon to make one big save in the dying minutes, as the Dynamo desperately pushed to prolong their slim hopes of a playoff place, but the Rapids would not be denied.
Weary limbs will now seek to recover in time for the visit of the Quakes. The Rapids will be without skipper Sam Cronin. The midfielder is the only Rapids player to have started all 31 games this season, but he will miss the return of his former club as he collected a booking in Houston and will therefore be suspended.
