Sporting KC, down to last gasp in playoff hunt, host Rapids

Field Level Media|published: Tue 17th September, 20:07 2024

Jul 20, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Willy Agada (23) controls the ball in the first half against St. Louis CITY SC at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

It might already be too late, but Sporting Kansas City's very slim playoff chances have reached desperation level as they get ready to host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night in Kansas City, Kan.

Sporting KC (7-15-7, 28 points) must win at least four of their five remaining matches just to get into the play-in round, and that's assuming Portland and Minnesota, in eighth and ninth place, don't pick up additional points in their remaining matches.

Colorado (14-9-5, 47 points) has a different battle in mind, as the Rapids are one of six teams within four points of one another in second through seventh place in the Western Conference. A road win will definitely help the Rapids as they seek to separate themselves from the other five.

Sporting KC sit 11 points behind Minnesota for the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and Minnesota owns the tiebreaker between the two clubs. Three wins and two ties wouldn't be enough. Four wins would give SKC 40 points, tying them with Portland for eighth, but both Minnesota and Portland have a match in hand over SKC.

There's no margin for error, especially with a talented opponent coming in.

"(Colorado) is a good team," Sporting midfielder Remi Walter said. "We know they've had a good season. We have to perform. Every game that is coming the rest of the season, we have to be at our best."

Colorado is tied for third in the Western Conference with Real Salt Lake, one point behind LAFC, and one, two and three points ahead of Seattle, Vancouver and Houston, respectively. With six matches left, the Rapids can finish anywhere from first in the conference to out of the playoffs.

The Rapids come in having won three straight MLS matches dating to before the Leagues Cup break, including a 2-1 victory over Portland on Saturday. Jonathan Lewis and Rafael Navarro scored the Rapids' goals in that one.

"It's great to get another victory at home," Colorado head coach Chris Armas said after the match. "I think that's 12 unbeaten (matches) for us here in this building. It's a great win for us in this dogfight of a conference."

Navarro has 14 goals to lead Colorado. William Agada (nine goals) paces Sporting KC.

--Field Level Media

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