The Colorado Rapids again were unable to find their scoring touch as they were shutout for the second consecutive time, dropping a 1-0 result to Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.
However, despite the loss the Rapids still find themselves in possession of the fourth and final Western Conference playoff spot as Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy both lost earlier in the day. The Rapids' slim lead ahead of fifth-place Real Salt Lake remains at three points with only three regular season matches remaining. Chivas USA, meanwhile, leapfrogged Houston Dynamo to claim second place in the Western Conference with the win.
Coming off a scoreless draw with the Galaxy last week, the Rapids entered Saturday's match with the intent of solidifying their claim to a playoff spot.
"We could have separated ourselves even more from Salt Lake and L.A. but we didn't do that so we have to keep working like we've done the whole season," said Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo.
Francisco Mendoza's 34th-minute goal -- an outstanding individual effort where he stepped around two Rapids defenders before calmly shooting past goalkeeper Joe Cannon -- proved to be all the offense Chivas would need.
"I think we did enough to at least get a draw," added Clavijo. "Our attitude and determination level was superb but sometimes you need a little luck and tonight we didn't have it."
After the goal, the Rapids attack markedly improved, particularly in the second half where they outshot Chivas by a margin of 5-1. Nicolas Hernandez had the clearest opportunity to equalize when he intercepted a poor back pass from veteran Chivas defender Claudio Suarez setting up a one-on-one breakaway against goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 58th minute. Hernandez, however, was unable to beat Guzan as the 'keeper kick-saved his low attempt.
"We had the ball inside the six-yard box quite a few times but just couldn't find the goal," said midfielder Pablo Mastroeni.
Over the last seven matches, the Rapids have scored only three goals. Clavijo, however, is not bothered by the recent scoring slump.
"I'm not concerned about the goals that we're not scoring, I'm concerned with not giving up goals and giving ourselves a chance to win," he said.
Mastroeni echoed Clavijo's belief that focusing on the defense is the best way to gain results at this critical point of the season.
"We need to score goals to win games but we're also creating more scoring chances because our defense is a lot better and everyone is committed to collective defense, which sparks good counterattacks," he said.
It will be important for the Rapids to regain their offensive punch as the regular season winds to a close.
"We're due some goals and hopefully they'll come in the next three games," said Mastroeni.
The Rapids playoff hopes will hinge on the last three matches, two of which will be played away from Invesco Field at Mile High. Road games have proven to be a struggle for the Rapids throughout the season as they have won only twice away from home.
"The outlook in this locker room is positive," said Mastroeni. "When your back's against the wall is when you perform the best and these last games are going to be tough.
"We don't want any gimmies, though, and we don't want to rely on the results of other teams to make the playoffs. We want to take destiny in our hands and earn it and if we keep working hard, we'll hit the playoffs in stride."
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
