Matt Wells believes the Colorado Rapids' hopes of reaching the playoffs are "in our hands" as they prepare to take on the Chicago Fire at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. 

Colorado are seventh in the Western Conference heading into the penultimate fixture of their regular season campaign, but plenty of teams around them are in with a chance. 

Just three points separate 11th-place Portland Timbers from the Rapids, with LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders all aiming to secure a spot in the postseason. 

The Rapids were held to a 2-2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek, despite leading in the 73rd minute and having a man advantage over their opponents. 

However, just two minutes after going ahead, Kosi Thompson was sent off to even things up, with Jack Jasinski scoring an 83rd-minute equaliser for Bruce Arena's side. 

"There was a temptation, given the order of the scoring, there is an element of frustration in the group, especially given the fact we were in a position with 15 minutes to go with three points in our hands and our opponent down to 10 men," Wells said.  

"Obviously, that didn't last long. We ended up evening the sides but sometimes there is that chaos in these types of games, and we have experienced it a couple of times. 

"But, for me, I chose to take the positives. I have been critical all season about our ability to come from behind. I thought the response was excellent to turn the game around. 

"It's baby steps. Of course, we would have loved all three points, but we left with a very valuable point. We have two games to go, we're sat in seventh position. We're five games unbeaten in the MLS and that is very difficult to do. 

"There are only a couple of teams in that same vein of form. We have loads to play for. We're in an excellent spot, but it's in our hands, and we have two very tough games to go."

Fought until the final whistle #SJvCOL https://t.co/HIgfB94SBM

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) October 29, 2026

Chicago, meanwhile, are already assured of their spot in the playoffs, but they will want to pick up their recent form after drawing 2-2 with Orlando City SC in midweek. 

Gregg Berhalter's side have just won one of their last four matches in the MLS (D2 L1), leaving them at risk of dropping out of the top four in the Eastern Conference. 

They did, however, show grit and determination against Orlando, coming from two goals down in the second half to take a point, with Jonathan Bamba starring off the bench. 

Chicago take on the Columbus Crew in their final regular-season encounter of the season, before their attention swiftly returns to improving on last season's playoff run. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado Rapids – Darren Yapi

Yapi came off the bench to score Colorado's second goal against San Jose on Wednesday.

Over the last three seasons, Yapi has scored five goals as a substitute in MLS play, and no other Rapids player has scored more than one goal off the bench in that time.

Chicago Fire – Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski failed to score for the eighth straight match on Wednesday despite attempting seven shots, a run he will want to end here.  

He has had just one longer scoreless run in league play over his time in the Bundesliga and LaLiga, going nine in a row without scoring for Borussia Dortmund from December 2010 to February 2011.

Battled back for https://t.co/bFNUmhv37t

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) October 29, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

This will be the first meeting between Colorado and Chicago since a 4-1 Fire win on April 20, 2019. This is Chicago’s first visit to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in over eight years, since a 2-2 draw in June 2018.

Colorado are on a 10-match unbeaten run at home in MLS play (W7 D3), keeping clean sheets in each of the seven victories. It's the second time in team history they have posted seven clean-sheet wins over 10 home regular-season matches (also August 2007 – May 2008).

The Fire, meanwhile, came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Orlando on Wednesday. They had lost the last 19 regular-season matches in which they trailed by multiple goals at any point dating back to August 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Colorado Rapids – 37.2%

Draw – 26.3%

Chicago Fire – 36.5%