VANCOUVER, B.C. — Wells Thompson scored in the 84th minute as the Rapids rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the teams’ regular-season MLS finale Saturday night.
With the victory, the defending champion MLS Cup Rapids (12-9-13) secured home-field advantage in an upcoming (either Wednesday or Thursday) wild-card playoff match and broke the Whitecaps’ three- match winning streak.
Thompson got the ball after a scramble near the top of Vancouver’s 18-yard box and sent a shot off a Whitecaps defender’s head and over goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
Alain Rochat gave the Whitecaps (6-18-10) a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute, and Jeff Larentowicz tied the score for Colorado in the 59th minute.
Larentowicz fired a straight-on free kick from the top of the Vancouver box right through a Whitecaps defensive wall — and Cannon’s legs — as he failed to get his hands down on the ball in time.
Colorado 0 2 — 2
Vancouver 0 1 — 1
First half — None.
Second half — 1, Vancouver, Rochat 3, 49th minute. 2, Colorado, Larentowicz 7 (Smith), 59th. 3, Colorado, Thompson 3, 84th.
Goalies — Colorado, Matt Pickens; Vancouver, Joe Cannon. Yellow cards — Larentowicz, Colorado, 10th; Marshall, Colorado, 77th. Referee — Baldomero Toledo. Assistant referees — Fabio Tovar. Ian Anderson. Fourth official — Paul Ward.
