Cole Bassett, Tommy Smith score late as Rapids stun FC Dallas

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Cole Bassett and Tommy Smith scored goals in a four-minute span in the match's final 10 minutes to lift the Colorado Rapids to a stunning 2-1 win over visiting FC Dallas on Sunday, in the process denying FC Dallas the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The loss dropped FC Dallas (16-9-9, 57 points) to the fourth seed and a home knockout round match against Portland on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1. All FC Dallas needed to do was draw in this match to earn the second seed thanks to Sporting Kansas City's 2-1 win over LAFC.

FC Dallas seemingly had the West's runner-up spot and the first-round bye in the MLS Cup playoffs that comes with that standing wrapped up until the Rapids delivered a one-two punch beginning in the 80th minute.

Bassett swept to the goal and redirected a pass from Enzo Martinez from the right corner past FC Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez. Marlon Hairston also got an assist on the tally, on which the 17-year-old Bassett became the youngest goal scorer in franchise history.

Smith headed home the game-winner four minutes later, waiting beyond the far post to send home a corner kick from former FC Dallas player Kellyn Acosta.

Maximiliano Urruti's effortless goal in the 18th minute had FC Dallas right where it needed to be and held up until the final 10 minutes. Urruti's goal came off a flawless centering pass from former Colorado standout Dominique Badji, who was just onside to the right of the box when he received a one-touch pass from Roland Lamah.

Urruti headed straight for the goal and barely had to adjust to Badji's pass, which left Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard flatfooted at the near post.

FC Dallas had been held without a goal in four of its past six outings and defeated just one team over the second half of the season that's qualified for the playoffs -- a 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City on July 28.

Gonzalez was the loneliest man on the pitch until the late Rapids flurry that produced Colorado's only two shots on target.

Colorado (8-19-7, 31 points) finished the season with two wins and one draw over its final 10 matches.