The Colorado Rapids (15-4-5, 50 points) lost 3-2 to Austin FC (11-14-9, 42 points) on decision day at Q2 Stadium. A breakaway goal from Rafael Navarro and a penalty from Omir Fernandez were not enough to give the Rapids an away result after Austin made a late comeback in stoppage time. The club finished the 2024 MLS regular season in seventh place and now faces LA Galaxy in the first round of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Before decision day, the Rapids were in sixth place in the Western Conference and had their sights set on the best possible playoff placement. The highest placing the club could achieve at the start of the evening was fifth, while the lowest they could achieve was seventh. This game, coupled with the rest of the West kicking off at the same time, led to exciting action for all involved as the 2024 MLS regular season came to a close.

Adam Beaudry, who made his MLS debut and became the youngest goalkeeper in Rapids history to ever start and appear in a game at age 18, started for the Rapids. Head coach Chris Armas spoke further about the Colorado homegrown player after the game: “He's a great player and the best is yet to come for him, but it will be of great value to him. I was proud of him that night.”

As soon as things started in the Q2 stadium, the action began. The Rapids were able to create chances on offense, but in the eighth minute the home team struck first.

After Diego Rubio converted a penalty, Austin's Sebastian Driussi stepped up. The midfielder sent a shot into the left side of the net to give his club an early lead.

Needing a positive result to increase their chances of achieving the highest possible finish, the Rapids stepped up their attack to find an equalizer as quickly as possible. Calvin Harris and Jonathan Lewis both had good chances in the first half, but it would be the club's top scorer this season that would bring them into the game.

The game started fairly quickly when defender Lalas Abubakar caused a loss of the ball near midfield, which directly led to a break for Navarro. The Brazilian shot through the Austin defense line and placed a neat finish into the back of the net for the equalizer.

The goal was Navarro's 15th of the season, maintaining his second place in club history for goals in a single season. Abubakar's assist was his first of the season and second of his MLS career.

The two clubs went into half-time on level terms, but there was still plenty of action waiting in the second half of the game.

Colorado created most of the chances early in the second half and the club did everything they could to score another goal and take the lead. This attack ultimately led to the team getting their second best chance of the game, a penalty in the 75th minute.

Midfielder Fernandez took the lead. The Bronx native stepped up and calmly sent his shot into the goal to give his team their first lead of the game. The goal was his second of the season and the 17th of his MLS career.

From then on, the Rapids continued their pressure. A chance for a brace from Navarro was ruled offside by a hair's breadth, leaving the lead at just one.

The dynamics of the game changed again when Austin started his comeback in stoppage time.

The home side equalized with a header from Ethan Finlay after receiving a cross from Žan Kolmanič.

Just two minutes later, Austin struck again, with Brendan Hines-Ike scoring the winner and securing all three points.

While the game ended in defeat for Colorado, several milestones were set for the Texas club. In addition to Beaudry setting his records, midfielder Kévin Cabral returned to the game for the first time since July 17, where he suffered an elbow injury against LA Galaxy.

The game resulted in Colorado finishing the 2024 season in seventh place and facing second-place LA Galaxy in the first round of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Captain Keegan Rosenberry was asked after the game about the possibility of playing in the playoffs:

“It is a big challenge for us. In general, this club has taken so many steps forward and made so much progress at the end of the season. It was a lot of fun to be there and take the lead. This phase of the playoffs is another step in that process. We are ready and excited.”

While the schedule is still to be determined, the Rapids are guaranteed a home playoff game at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park in Game 2 of the best-of-3 first-round series.