Rapids win sets up winner-take-all vs. RSL

CARSON, Calif. -- The highs and lows that have come to define the Colorado Rapids season were on display Sunday afternoon against Chivas USA. With playoff elimination staring them in the face, the Rapids mettle was put to the test in the ebbs and flows of a thrilling second half.

First, the Rapids were given a golden opportunity to break a scoreless stalemate midway through the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick. The Rapids hearts were sunk, though, after seeing Tom McManus' feeble shot saved by the Chivas USA goalkeeper. Then, both sides traded goals in a five-minute span before Conor Casey ended the match on a high note, converting a late penalty kick to keep the Rapids playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win.

"We worked extremely hard for 90-odd minutes and we got our rewards for our work," said Rapids coach Gary Smith. "It was an incredible result given the amount of pressure that the team is under."

Needing a victory to set up a winner-take-all game in next week's regular-season finale against Real Salt Lake at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids were buoyed by their second-half substitutes.

"Three substitutes came on today that not only played well but were the bedrock of the victory," Smith said in reference to Omar Cummings, Terry Cooke and Facundo Erpen.

Cummings' performance, though, was the catalyst as he assisted on the first goal and was taken down in the penalty area to set up the game-winning penalty kick.

"As all good subs should, Omar came on and made an immediate difference," said Smith. "He set up both goals, it was incredible."

Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni also credited Cummings with making the difference that kept the Rapids season alive.

"Omar is one of the most underrated forwards in the league," he said. "He has skill, pace and craftiness and today he made it tough for the defense." Cummings was brought into the match for McManus moments after his penalty miss. It was in the 85th minute when Cummings slipped a ball through the legs of Shavar Thomas inside the Chivas USA penalty area before being tripped by Thomas to set up the second and decisive spot kick.

With the weight of a season on his shoulders, Casey took the shot and just beat a diving Kennedy to the right side of the goal.

"My only focus was putting it in the goal and I almost didn't," Casey said. "It hit the post but I had a huge relief when I saw it go back into the goal instead of bouncing back at me. We gave ourselves a chance to play for something next week, it's in our hands."

Now, the Rapids must shift their focus to next week's decisive match at home against rival Real Salt Lake, whom they have defeated and lost to in their two matches this season.

"It's a winner-take-all match," said Smith. "But with it at home we like to think the balance swings in our favor. The smallest of errors and finest of lines will be the difference."