Weekly Update: Rapids host Columbus Crew on Thursday night to start MLS Cup defense
October 24, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
RAPIDS HOST COLUMBUS CREW ON THURSDAY TO OPEN MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: The Colorado Rapids will host the Columbus Crew in a Wild Card match in the MLS Cup Playoffs this Thursday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. MT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Colorado secured a home match to open the MLS Cup Playoffs by earning a 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon, and will face the Crew in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight year, as Colorado topped Columbus on penalty kicks after a 2-2 aggregate draw in a home-and-home series in 2010. Tickets to the Rapids' first playoff match of their MLS Cup defense are on sale at www.ColoradoRapids.com and 303-825-GOAL.
RAPIDS CLOSE OUT 2011 REGULAR SEASON WITH A WIN AT VANCOUVER: The Colorado Rapids (12-9-13, 49 points) closed out the 2011 Regular Season with a come-from-behind win at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, using second-half goals from Jeff Larentowicz and Wells Thompson to earn the win. Thompson's goal came on a deflected shot in the 84th minute that fell in over the head of Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon, and Larentowicz scored in the 59th minute off a free kick. The result ensured that the Rapids would host their first playoff game, securing the second of four Wild Card spots in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
LARENTOWICZ EARNS RAPIDS GOLDEN BOOT: By scoring his career-high seventh goal of the MLS season in the final regular season match, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz became the team's Golden Boot winner, leading the team in scoring. His goal against Vancouver on Saturday was a trademark strike, a low, hard shot off a set piece. The goal vaulted him ahead of forwards Conor Casey and Caleb Folan on the team's scoring charts. "It's great," said Larentowicz after the match about his achievement. "That's something I'm not expecting, and I wish it weren't me. But tonight, there was a free kick and it was a situation where you're trying to find a hole and it found its way through."
POTENTIAL HOME PLAYOFF GAME ON SUNDAY: The Rapids open up against the Columbus Crew on Thursday, and with a win, would host another MLS Cup Playoff match on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Colorado's potential opponent would be determined by the other Wild Card match, with the Rapids either taking on Sporting Kansas City (if the New York Red Bulls beat FC Dallas and the Rapids win) or the LA Galaxy (if Dallas beats New York and the Rapids win) in the Conference Semifinal. More information can be found at www.ColoradoRapids.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 24, 2011
- AT&T Goal of the Year Voting Starts Tuesday on MLSSoccer.com - MLS
- Weekly Update: Rapids host Columbus Crew on Thursday night to start MLS Cup defense - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sounders FC News & Notes - Seattle Sounders FC
- Union to host their first ever playoff game against the Dynamo on Sunday - Philadelphia Union
- D.C. United Youth Academy Continues 2011-2012 Season - D.C. United
- Red Bulls Weekly Update: New York Begins Quest for MLS Cup Wednesday - New York Red Bulls
- Chicago Fire Defender Jalil Anibaba Named MLS Player of the Week - Chicago Fire FC
- Sporting Kansas City Begins Playoffs this Weekend - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas Hosts New York in MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Game - FC Dallas
- Timbers Announce 2011 Club Awards at Stand Together Awards Banquet - Portland Timbers
- New York to Face FC Dallas in MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Game October 26 - New York Red Bulls
- MLS Cup Playoffs Begin Wednesday - MLS
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