SEATTLE — Colorado Rapids forward Dominique Badji stepped up to the penalty spot in the 53rd minute on Sunday, fully ready to spoil the Seattle Sounders’ party.
Although they were down 1-0, the Rapids had been up a man since Clint Dempsey was sent off in the 24th minute and were the beneficiaries of an unfortunate hand ball on Harry Shipp. If the Rapids had tied the game, they would have inched closer to earning a draw and preventing Seattle from clinching a Knockout Round bye in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, a postseason for which Colorado had not qualified.