COMMERCE CITY — Given the circumstances, the Rapids will take the two points they earned the past two games. They simply expected more.
In position to pile up points in their push for the playoffs, the Rapids have had to settle for a pair of ties against the San Jose Earthquakes, who have the second-fewest points in the MLS.
The latest was a 1-1 tie Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Conor Casey scored on a penalty kick in stoppage time for the second game in a row to help Colorado once again salvage a tie and a point.
“It was a good point, but just a terrible game from us,” Casey said. “To be down 1-0 in the 90th minute and come out with a point is fortuitous. We have to be a lot better going forward the next four games.”
It was a disappointing home-and-home series with the Earthquakes that had the Rapids looking at a realistic shot at six points. Those points nearly would have wrapped up one of the league’s four wild-card spots for the postseason.
Colorado (10-8-8) has four games remaining, starting Saturday at Kansas City, and sits with 38 points. Coach Gary Smith figures his team needs to reach 42 points to secure a playoff spot.
“This was an opportunistic time to get major points, three points (each game), and we failed to do that,” Smith said. “In the end, we were fortunate to get a point and obviously disappointed not to get all three.”
The Rapids had plenty of chances against San Jose (5-12-7), especially in the first half when they clearly were the better team. However, when Pat Noonan was called for a hand ball in the box, Chris Wondolowski followed with a penalty kick for a 1-0 lead in the 67th minute.
The Rapids had solid scoring chances just before and after the goal. Casey missed on a header in the box in the 63rd minute, and Nick LaBrocca’s shot from close range went just right of the net.
“We were a little sloppy finishing,” Casey said. “We were just a little off today. Unfortunately, that happens. When that’s the case, it’s hard to win games.”
Casey came through when it mattered, scoring his league-best 15th goal on the penalty kick about three minutes into stoppage time. It set a Rapids single-season record for goals, breaking the record of John Spencer in 2001 and 2003.
