Preview | Rapids compete for playoff hopes on Decision Day in Dallas

The Colorado Rapids (12-14-7, 43 pts., 9th West) will travel to Texas for an all-important Decision Day matchup against FC Dallas (15-8-10, 55 pts., 2nd West) on Saturday, November 7. Kickoff at Toyota Stadium is set for 5:00 p.m. MT with coverage available on Apple TV, Altitude Sports Radio, the Colorado Rapids app, and ColoradoRapids.com.  

With Saturday being the last opportunity for Colorado to clinch their spot in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, everything will be on the line for the club on the road in Dallas. The group’s most simple scenario to clinch is to win, as three points would guarantee the club a playoff berth. The clinching scenarios for any result other than a win are as follows: 

• Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC OR
• Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS/DRAW vs. LAFC OR
• Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes OR
• Colorado Rapids DRAW at FC Dallas AND Portland Timbers DRAW at Austin FC AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
• Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
• Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Seattle Sounders FC LOSS vs. LAFC AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers OR
• Portland Timbers LOSS at Austin FC AND Real Salt Lake LOSS vs. LA Galaxy AND Minnesota United FC LOSS/DRAW vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Colorado Rapids WIN tiebreaker over Portland Timbers 

Colorado looks to bounce back from their most recent result, a loss against Chicago Fire FC last weekend. Prior to that, the Rapids saw success come on the road in both San Jose and Portland. The club fought to two draws in those matches, earning crucial points away from home as the regular season continued to wind down.  

The Rapids attacking front will have their eyes set on continuing their form this weekend, with a handful of players consistently contributing as of late. Headlining the attack is Designated Player Morgan Whittaker, who has scored in three consecutive matches, bringing his season total to five since joining the club at the beginning of September. Midfielder Paxten Aaronson has been a key factor for the club all season long, currently holding the club lead in total goal contributions at 19 (8g, 11a) with nine of those coming within his last 10 MLS matches (4g, 5a). Forward Georgi Minoungou assisted both of Colorado’s goals against the Fire, recording the first multi-assist performance of his career while also logging an assist in consecutive matches. Homegrown forward Darren Yapi also recorded an assist in the match and has now contributed to a goal in consecutive matches, with one goal and one assist. 

On the other end of this Decision Day showdown is an FC Dallas side that has already secured a top four spot in the Western Conference. Currently in second place, Dallas is unable to move up to the top seed in the West but could move down to third if results don't pan out in their favor. The club has had back-and-forth results to close out the season with a 3-2-1 record in the month of October, with their most recent result at home being a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew.