FC Dallas clinch second, knock Rapids out of playoffs

FC Dallas 3-1 Colorado Rapids

FRISCO, TX–FC Dallas finished the season in style coming from behind to defeat Colorado Rapids, 3-1, with three goals in the final 17 minutes of play and clinch second place in the Western Conference. Colorado, who would’ve made the playoffs with the win, are eliminated with the loss. The Rapids finish the season winning just one of their last nine matches and had the second worst road record in MLS (2-11-4). Only wooden spoonists Montreal had a worse record away from home.

All of the scoring took place in the second half and the Rapids took the lead just two minutes into the half. Georgi Minoungou’s low cross was met by an unmarked Morgan Whittaker who would score from close range to give the Rapids the lead. Both teams would have goals disallowed for offside, but things would start to turn really sour for the Rapids in the 75th minute.

Kaick would find Joaquin Valiente making a run into the box and Valiente would beat Nico Hansen near post from an acute angle. In the 88th minute, FC Dallas would take the lead for good Kaick got on the end of a long ball from Nolan Norris and then scored from just inside the area. Santiago Moreno added an insurance goal two minutes into stoppage time and the Rapids’ season was effectively over.

FC Dallas will now take on Portland Timbers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Game 1 will take place between Friday, November 20th, and Tuesday, November 24th, in Frisco.

Photos by Eric Guzman