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Rapids ready for playoffs
The Rapids will play the Columbus Crew in the two-leg aggregate goal Eastern Conference Semifinal series of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The first-ever playoff game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will see the Rapids host the Crew at 7 p.m. Thursday. The following week, the teams will travel to Columbus for the second leg to be played at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Crew Stadium.
Season Revisit: This will be the first postseason meeting between Colorado and Columbus. The teams split their 2010 regular season series with the Rapids claiming a 1-0 victory on June 5 in Colorado and falling 3-1 to Columbus on Aug. 21 at Crew Stadium.
Final Standings: The Rapids finished the 2010 regular season with a 12-8-10 (46 points) record, which placed the club fifth in the final Western Conference standings. San Jose also finished with 46 points, but the Rapids won the second tie-breaker over the Earthquakes by virtue of a better overall goal differential.
Head East: By finishing fifth, the Rapids slide over and become the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference bracket of the playoffs, where they are matched against the No. 2 seed, Crew. The East’s top seed, the New York Red Bulls, will play No. 4 seed San Jose in the other Eastern Conference Semifinal series.
The Conference Semifinals consist of a home-and-away series, with the lower seed hosting the first-leg. The team with the most goals after both games will advance to the single-match Conference Championship. The winners of each Conference Championship match advance to the MLS Cup.
Tickets: Rapids playoff tickets are available for purchase at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Box Office, via phone by calling 303-825-GOAL, at the kiosks at any Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods location, or online at ColoradoRapids.com or TicketHorse.com.
Bleeding Burgundy: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper on Monday officially proclaimed the week “Burgundy Week,” in honor of the Rapids hosting their playoff game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Hickenlooper and the Rapids are encouraging fans to wear burgundy all week in support of the Rapids’ playoff match against the Crew on Thursday.
“This is an exciting time for our club, the city and our fans,” said coach Gary Smith. “Our team has produced one of its best home records since opening Dick’s Sporting Goods Park due to the massive support and passion of Colorado soccer fans. I wouldn’t expect anything less this Thursday as we start our journey towards bringing the MLS Cup to Denver.”
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