Rapids clinch playoffs with win over Timbers

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Sebastien Le Toux scored in the 63rd minute and the Colorado Rapids wrapped up a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.

Marlon Hairston slipped past a defender into the right side of the area and sent a low cross to the middle that Dominique Badji redirected and Le Toux smashed home.

The Rapids (12-5-2) clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 and tied a franchise record with 51 points. With four games to go, Colorado has the best chance or the remaining contenders to surpass league-leading FC Dallas for the Supporters’ Shield.

The Timbers (11-13-8) remained tied for sixth place with the Seattle Sounders. Portland finishes its season with a rematch against Colorado at home on Oct. 16 and a trip to Vancouver on Oct. 23.

RAPIDS 1, TIMBERS 0

Portland 0 0—0

Colorado 0 1—1

First half—None.

Second half—1, Colorado, Le Toux, 0 (Badji), 63rd minute.

Goalies—Portland, Jake Gleeson, Chris Konopka; Colorado, Tim Howard, Zac MacMath.

Yellow Cards—Badji, Colorado, 8th; Chara, Portland, 38th; Adi, Portland, 73rd; MacMath, Colorado, 78th; Burch, Colorado, 79th; Le Toux, Colorado, 83rd; Cronin, Colorado, 91st; Williams, Colorado, 93rd.

Referee—Allen Chapman.

Lineups

Portland—Jake Gleeson; Vytautas Andriuskevicius (Jack Barmby, 86th), Jack Jewsbury (Jack McInerney, 75th), Alvas Powell, Liam Ridgewell, Steven Taylor; Diego Chara, Ned Grabavoy (Lucas Melano, 68th), Diego Valeri; Fanendo Adi, Darlington Nagbe.

Colorado—Tim Howard; Marc Burch, Marlon Hairston (Caleb Calvert, 82nd), Eric Miller, Axel Sjoberg, Jared Watts; Sam Cronin, Shkelzen Gashi, Dillon Powers; Dominique Badji, Sebastien Le Toux (Mekeil Williams, 85th).