Colorado Rapids midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, center, fights for control of the ball with Los Angeles FC forward Latif Blessing, left, and midfielder Brian Rodriguez in the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) - Jonathan Lewis scored two goals on Sunday night as the Colorado Rapids eliminated Los Angeles FC from the playoffs with a 5-2 victory and moved into first place in the Western Conference.
The second goal from Lewis, in the 53rd minute, happened when Diego Rubio stole the ball deep in LA territory.
Collen Warner, Cole Bassett and Dominique Badji also scored for Colorado (17-7-10), who earned the first-round bye by a point when Seattle played to a 1-1 draw at Vancouver. It was the Rapids' first five-goal game this season.
Cristian Arango and Brian Rodriguez had second-half goals for Los Angeles (12-13-9), which also needed Vancouver to lose to make the playoffs.
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Fans welcome the Colorado Rapids to the pitch to face Los Angeles FC in an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Fans cheer for Los Angeles FC in the first half of an MLS soccer match agaisnt the Colorado Rapids, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta reacts after forward Jonathan Lewis scored a goal against Los Angeles FC in the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids forward Jonathan Lewis celebrates after scoring a goal against Los Angeles FC in the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles FC defender Sebastien Ibeagha, front, pursues the ball with Colorado Rapids forward Diego Rubio in the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press
Colorado Rapids midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, front, drives down the pitch with the ball as Los Angeles FC forward Latif Blessing pursues in the first half of an MLS soccer match Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Associated Press