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Rapids eliminates Toronto FC and secures playoff spot

Rapids eliminates Toronto FC and secures playoff spot

MLS: Toronto FC at Colorado RapidsSeptember 21, 2024; Commerce City, Colorado, USA; Toronto FC defender Shane O'Neill (27) and Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett (23) battle for the ball during the first half at Dick's Sporting Goods Park as forward Prince Owusu (99) and forward Rafael Navarro (9) and defender Sigurd Rosted (17) look on. Mandatory Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Colorado Rapids secured a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs with a 2-0 win over Toronto FC in Commerce City, Colorado on Saturday.

Reggie Cannon and Djordje Mihailovic scored second-half goals as Colorado (15-10-5, 50 points) improved its home record to 10-2-3 this season. Colorado goalie Zack Steffen saved two shots to keep the game clean sheet.

Colorado now has a 7-1-2 record at home against TFC. The last time the two teams met was in September 2021, they played out a scoreless draw.

Toronto (11-17-3, 36 points) has won just one of its last four games and has lost two games in a row since Wednesday's 2-0 loss to reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.

Reds keeper Sean Johnson made six saves in the defeat.

Darren Yapi had a great chance to put Colorado 2-0 ahead in the 89th minute, but was awarded a penalty after a hard foul by Aime Mabika in the box.

On the ensuing penalty, Mihailovic beat Johnson and doubled the Rapids' lead.

Cannon opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, taking a cross from Yapi and beating the diving Johnson with a direct shot.

Yapi nearly doubled Colorado's lead in the 70th minute, but he deflected Mihailovic's cross wide.

The Rapids had two chances in the 22nd minute.

Johnson saved Cole Bassett's right-footed shot from just outside the box and the rebound bounced to Mihailovic, whose header was also saved by Johnson.

Rafael Navarro nearly scored the first goal in the sixth minute when he put his shot behind Johnson, but Toronto defender Shane O'Neill did an excellent job of clearing the ball off the goal line.

Colorado next travels to Minnesota for a game on September 28, while Toronto visits Chicago next Saturday.

–Field level media

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