Deadspin: Rapids Welcome Pressure in Bid for Rare Road Win Against Earthquakes
Playoff hopes on the line
Colorado can clinch a playoff berth by beating San Jose, provided the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake each lose or draw. The Rapids have 42 points from a 12-13-6 record.
They sit eighth in the Western Conference, one point behind the Seattle Sounders and one point ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Coach Matt Wells said the team would focus on competing and performing well in pursuit of three points.
Road record poses challenge
The Rapids have struggled away from home, posting a 2-10-3 record this season. Wells said the team welcomes pressure at this point in the campaign, adding that a lack of pressure would mean Colorado was near the bottom of the standings.
Colorado beat first-place Vancouver 1-0 at home on Saturday. Morgan Whittaker scored with a header in the 81st minute, extending the Rapids’ unbeaten run to four matches, with one win and three draws.
San Jose seeks a response
The Earthquakes have 48 points from a 13-9-9 record and occupy fourth place in the West. They are three points behind third-place St. Louis City, with their next two matches at home.
San Jose is winless in four matches after a 3-0 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday. The Earthquakes drew 1-1 at Colorado on Oct. 10; Donavan Phillip scored for the Rapids, and Dave Romney equalized for San Jose.
Two home games ahead
San Jose coach Bruce Arena called the team’s next two home matches important and said the immediate goal was to earn three points against Colorado. The Earthquakes host Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Midfielder Niko Tsakiris played 12 minutes off the bench against Dallas, his first appearance in five weeks after an injury. San Jose midfielder Ronaldo Vieira said the team was glad to have him back and expected him to keep working toward his best form.
Key points
- Colorado needs a win and favorable results for Portland and Real Salt Lake to clinch.
- The Rapids are eighth in the West and have a 2-10-3 road record.
- Colorado is unbeaten in four matches after a 1-0 win over Vancouver.
- San Jose has gone four matches without a win and next hosts Real Salt Lake Saturday.