Rapids shut out Toronto FC to clinch playoff berth
The Colorado Rapids secured an MLS Cup playoff spot with a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday in Commerce City, Colo.
Reggie Cannon and Djordje Mihailovic scored second-half goals as Colorado (15-10-5, 50 points) improved to 10-2-3 at home this season. Colorado keeper Zack Steffen stopped two shots to secure the clean sheet.
Colorado is now 7-1-2 all-time against TFC at home. The two sides played to a scoreless draw in their last matchup in September 2021.
Toronto (11-17-3, 36 points) has just one win in its past four matches and has dropped back-to-back results after its 2-0 loss Wednesday to the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew.
Reds keeper Sean Johnson made six saves in the loss.
Darren Yapi had a great opportunity to give Colorado a 2-0 lead in the 89th minute but was awarded a penalty after a hard challenge from Aime Mabika in the area.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Mihailovic beat Johnson, doubling the Rapids' lead.
Cannon opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, taking a Yapi cross and one-timing it past a diving Johnson.
Yapi nearly doubled Colorado's lead in the 70th minute, but he redirected Mihailovic's cross wide of the goal.
The Rapids had a pair of chances in the 22nd minute.
Cole Bassett's right-footed shot from just outside the box was stopped by Johnson, and the rebound bounced to Mihailovic, whose header was also stopped by Johnson.
Rafael Navarro nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute, putting his shot behind Johnson, but Toronto defender Shane O'Neill did an excellent job clearing the ball from the line.
Colorado next travels to Minnesota for a match Sept. 28, while Toronto visits Chicago next Saturday.
