On Sept. 23, the Colorado Rapids reached a point in their 2020 MLS odyssey at which the team couldn't wait to get back on the field. The Rapids' 5-0 drubbing of San Jose brought them within two points of Western Conference leader Seattle, and there was an internal confidence that they would continue to rise.
Between the league's initial pandemic-induced four-month postponement starting in March, an additional month off between the Rapids' exit from the MLS is Back Tournament and the season's restart in August, continuity had been hard to come by. However, under first-year coach Robin Fraser, the Rapids dealt with the adverse circumstances about as well as possible and had won three of four heading into a key match against Sporting Kansas City on Sept.