Colorado Rapids 3-1 Seattle Sounders: Rapids close in on playoff place with routine win

Colorado Rapids moved closer to securing a playoff place on Sunday night as they beat Seattle Sounders 3-1 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Andre Shinyashiki opened the scoring early on, before Jordan Morris levelled it up on 22 minutes. Keegan Rosenberry and Cole Bassett then put the game beyond Seattle's reach as the visitors slipped down to third in the Western Conference after topping the table over recent weeks.

Story of the match

The Rapids got off to an excellent start, scoring with their first attempt just after the ten minute mark. Nicolas Benezet's ball found Sam Vines on the left wing, and he then crossed the ball into the box where Shinyashiki was waiting to head home.

Seattle made their way back into the game and were level on 22 minutes. Kelvin Leerdam fed Cristian Roldan on the right wing who then crossed the ball into the box. Morris was in the right place at the right time and scored from close range.

However, Colorado went back in front just before halftime through Keegan Rosenberry. The Rapids earned a corner, which was quickly cleared - only to fall to Rosenberry who was waiting outside of the box. He hit it on the volley to give the Rapids a 2-1 lead, and they did not look back from then on.

The Rapids got their deserved third goal towards the latter part of the game. Jack Price's freekick from the left side found Cole Bassett who scored from close range to put the game out of reach and give the Rapids' campaign for a playoff spot a real boost.

Takeaways from the match

Rapids hit form at the right time

Colorado Rapids picked up their first win since their COVID-19 induced month break, and through a dominant second half they showed they are picking up form at just the right time to try to make the playoffs as the regular season comes to a close. The rest they have had may give them an edge over other teams who have played a lot of games in a short space of time.

Seattle struggle in high altitude

Perhaps the decision by the Sounders' management to fly their players to Colorado without having time to aclimatise was a badly judged one. The Sounders came back into the game after conceding but looked weary in the second half particularly. Seattle will be hoping this result is just a one-off as they prepare for their final game of the season.

Stand-out players

Andre Shinyashiki is in excellent form and it was he who scored the game's first goal. He was superb going forward and looks to be a real handful - definitely a player defences wouldn't like to face after so many games in such a short period of time.