For the Colorado Rapids, Sunday's game against Toronto FC is, quite simply, a must-win game.
The Rapids come into the weekend four points outside of the last playoff spot. The Rapids sit behind Columbus (31 points) and Chicago (33 points), both of whom play at home Saturday night, against FC Dallas and New England respectively. If Chicago is victorious and the Rapids lose this weekend, Colorado will be eliminated from playoff contention.
"Everything is on the line right now," said Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo. "We know we have to win, it's as simple as that. We have run out of time and run out of points."
Although Toronto occupies the basement of the MLS standings, they upset the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night, ending a 12-game winless streak. The win last Thursday prevented New York from clinching a playoff spot and kept Toronto's extremely slim playoff hopes alive as well, although if Chicago gets a point Saturday, TFC will officially be eliminated.
The last time the two teams met, Toronto won 2-1 at BMO Field, considered one of the tougher places to play in Major League Soccer. But the Rapids are looking to capitalize on their own home-field advantage this weekend.
In addition to its high elevation, Dick's Sporting Goods Park also boasts the largest pitch in the MLS. Toronto FC has never played in Colorado and the Rapids are undefeated in their last four home games.
"This weekend we need to make sure we go back to our old ways playing at home where we really take care of defending the ball, defending our home field first, and creating good opportunities going forward because we are well organized in defense," said Pablo Mastroeni.
The Rapids will be without the services of Tony Sanneh, who is sidelined after suffering a strained hamstring in the New England game. Forward Conor Casey practiced this week but remains day-to-day with a sprained knee, but defender Ugo Ihemelu is doubtful with an ankle sprain.
After a three-game winning streak, the Rapids haven't won in their last five games, four of those on the road. Last time out they lost for the second consecutive match, falling 1-0 to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
"In New England we battled really hard, it was a tough game," said Mastroeni. "They are obviously a great team [and they] were playing at home on turf. We made a few mistakes and they just capitalized on one of them."
The Rapids continued their defensive strength over the last few months, holding New England in check for nearly the entire match, only to surrender a goal in the final two minutes of regulation.
"It was tough [to allow a goal] in the last minute because it didn't give us a chance to respond," said Clavijo.
But Clavijo believes his team will be prepared mentally for this weekend's match.
"These guys are professionals. We need to look around [at each other] and we can cry or we can go and battle," he said. "We are choosing to battle and to try to beat Toronto and win the next two games we have ahead of us."
Colin Smith is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
