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Rapids face Philly; playoffs looming
If the playoff started today, the Rapids would be in with the eighth and final seed.
Playoffs don’t start today, but the Rapids can take a big step toward being included for the first time since 2006 if they can beat the Philadelphia Union at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City tonight at 7:30.
Colorado (10-7-8) sits on 38 points, just one point behind the Seattle Sounders and the San Jose Earthquakes. Defeating Philly would move the Rapids to 41 points and into the sixth playoff spot. While it’s premature to worry about what that might mean in terms of which team the Rapids would face in the playoffs, anything that provides some breathing room would be useful.
The past season demonstrated that 40 points from 30 games would not be enough to make the playoffs. The Rapids were exhibition No. 1 in that case.
Instead, the Rapids probably need to aim for 45 points to ensure a spot in the playoffs. And while Saturday’s 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake was demanding and draining, the Rapids have the perfect chance to move up the ladder. Philly is an erratic side in its first year in MLS. Next up on Saturday is D.C. United, the once great squad of champions reduced to league doormats.
If six points were ever there for the taking, then it’s in this two-game set. That leaves Dallas and LA on the road with a season-closing visit from Real Salt Lake to nail down one more point and ensure a playoff game at DSG Park.
Good teams get to the playoffs on the strength of beating bad teams. The Colorado Rapids have been mediocre against good teams in the past month — witness a 3-1 loss to New York and the tie in Sandy, Utah — and terrors against bad teams — 3-0 wins versus New England, Houston and Chivas USA.
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