Colorado have comfortably beaten the Portland Timbers 3-0 in the Eastern Conference in Denver.
The home side started the match superbly and were ahead in the sixth minute when Andre Akpan calmly slotted past Donovan Ricketts after Tony Cascio had struck the post.
Portland struggled to cope with the pace of Colorado's attacks and the hosts were close to extending their lead midway through the first period but Drew Moor's header was well saved by Ricketts.
Cascio ensured that the Rapids took a two-goal lead into the interval by following up on a another good stop from Ricketts to apply a simple finish from three yards out.
The Timbers looked a much-improved side in the second half and Bright Dike should have pulled a goal back in the 57th minute but the striker sent his effort over the crossbar.
Jaime Castrillon extended Colorado's advantage further with four minutes remaining by powerfully converting his header from close range to complete a comfortable victory for the Rapids.
Callum Mulvihill
