Kellyn Acosta keenly controlled the ball in the box as he darted right. Coming off the bench calm he passed a Portland defender with a dribble. The Rapids 25-year-old midfielder had the game on his foot in the 83rd minute. Acosta hammered his right boot into the ball, sending it flying into the upper right corner of the net.
It was all Colorado needed for a 1-0 win in Portland, the club’s second win ever in Oregon. The late goal from the former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder, Acosta, sent the Colorado Rapids to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
“’I’m really excited for the club and really excited for the players,” Robin Fraser said. “As soon as I got here last year I immediately had an affinity for the team and the players. We feel like we’re making strides. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re certainly making strides and I think getting into the playoffs is a bit of validation.”
The ball was won by Colorado native Sam Vines, pushed over to Diego Rubio and onto the foot of designated player Younes Namli. The first-year attacker made his move and rushed up the field. Rolling the ball back over to Rubio, who easily found Acosta.
Acosta found glory.
“I was able to find myself some space and my shot so I was happy for it to go in,” Acosta said. “Definitely a sweet feeling. I mean, I wasn’t really thinking about the playoffs, I was more thing of getting the win. But this is a big moment for us as players, for the fans and organization.”
Colorado last made the playoffs in 2016 when they made a surprising run to the Western Conference Final. Last season they were alive until Decision Day but couldn’t complete a miracle run in the first few moments under Fraser. In 2020, the coach’s first full season, the Rapids can still finish from anywhere 5th to 8th in the West. Normally MLS’ playoffs are only seven teams deep.
This was just the 7th point the Rapids have earned in 11 all-time matches in Portland.
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