Poor road play may end up hindering the Colorado Rapids' playoff hopes. A match with the Kansas City Wizards, though, gives them a good chance to help their cause.
The Rapids look to end a six-game road winless streak Saturday night in a matchup with a Wizards team that has struggled at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Colorado (10-8-8) tied San Jose 1-all at home Wednesday night to move into a tie with Seattle for third in the Western Conference and fifth in MLS with 38 points. The top two teams in each conference qualify for the postseason, and the teams with the next four highest point totals earn wild-card berths.
"It was a good point, given the circumstances, but that was a terrible game for us," forward Conor Casey said. "We have to a lot better if we want to get where we want to be."
The Rapids have four games remaining, but three are on the road. Colorado is 0-4-2 away from Dick's Sporting Goods Park since a 3-2 win over New York on May 30 and 2-6-4 on the road overall.
Kansas City (8-11-6) has had trouble at home, leaving it six points behind D.C. for the final playoff spot. The Wizards were 0-3-1 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark since the start of June before beating FC Dallas 3-2 last Saturday.
It was Kansas City's first win at home since a 3-1 victory over New England on June 12.
Colorado, though, needs to improve its play in order to take advantage of the Wizards' woes at home.
The Rapids have needed some breaks to earn ties in their last two games. Casey converted penalty kicks in each contest, both against the Earthquakes.
The forward scored in second-half injury time Wednesday, setting a franchise high for goals in a season with 15.
The Rapids have scored once in four of five games, but strong defense and goalkeeping has helped them go 2-1-2 during that span.
Preston Burpo has started in goal for Matt Pickens (knee) the past three games. Pickens, injured in practice nearly three weeks ago, is uncertain for Saturday's contest.
The Rapids announced Friday that midfielders Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith will miss the rest of the season with knee injuries. Peterson appeared in 23 games -- 12 starts -- and scored two goals while adding two assists. Smith played in four games, making three starts.
A thin Colorado team could have trouble against Kansas City, coming off one of its best games offensively this year. The Wizards fell one goal short of matching a season high, set in a 4-2 win over New England on Sept. 5.
Jimmy Conrad scored the winner against Dallas. His header in the 80th minute was the defenseman's first goal of the season.
Josh Wolff continued his hot play, scoring for the fourth time in four games. He has matched a career high with 10 goals on the season.
Michael Kraus scored the Wizards' only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Rapids on March 28.