FRISCO - FC Dallas went into the halftime locker room Sunday thinking it wouldn't have to play this week.
The 1-0 lead over the Colorado Rapids would've been enough to lock up a first-round playoff bye. But the team conceded in the 80th and 84th minute, setting up Wednesday's match at Toyota Stadium against the Portland Timbers, with the winner moving into the Western Conference semifinals and the losers starting the offseason earlier than planned.
The capitulation in Colorado was the third consecutive defeat for FCD, which had several chances to lock up a better playoff spot but now is in the must-win situation after its poor finish to the year.