Bravo Leads Rapids Into Playoffs

Midfielder Paul Bravo scored the game’s only goal in the seventh minute of overtime to lift the Colorado Rapids to a 1-0 victory over the Galaxy and a spot in next week’s Major League Soccer playoffs.

The Rapids clinched the eighth and final playoff berth, capping an injury-riddled regular season that saw the team use a different lineup in nearly every game.

After a scoreless 90 minutes, defensive midfielder Jason Bent started an offensive rush with less than four minutes left in overtime.

Bent passed forward to Jorge Dely Valdes at the top of the penalty area and he quickly kicked it to a streaking Bravo on the right. Firing the ball across his body, Bravo chipped into the upper left corner of the net, beating goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and sending the Rapids to the playoffs.

“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in, and next thing I knew the crowd just erupted and I got mobbed,” Bravo said. “I’ve got to tell you, that was a lot of fun.”

Colorado (13-15-4, 43 points) will not know its playoff opponent until after today’s MLS games. The Rapids will play either Kansas City, New York-New Jersey or Chicago.

The Galaxy (14-10-8, 50 points) is locked into the No. 5 playoff spot and will face Tampa Bay in the first round.

Colorado’s victory means the Miami Fusion and the Columbus Crew will miss the playoffs for the first time.