The Rapids have qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year and will play a wild- card match Oct. 26 or 27 as the team attempts to defend the MLS Cup title. The opponent and location of the match will be determined following next weekend’s matches, after the Rapids visit Vancouver in the regular-season finale.

The winners of the two wild-card games will move on to play in the conference semifinals, a home-and- home series beginning Oct. 29 or 30.

Irmiger wins Pan-Am mountain bike race.

Boulder resident Heather Irmiger won gold in the women’s cross country mountain bike race in the first day of competition at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“The course was perfect for me,” Irmiger said. “I enjoyed the technical, sustained climb and navigating my way through the cobbled streets lined with yelling fans.”

University of Colorado graduate Irmiger took the lead from the first lap on the 24.8-kilometer mountain bike circuit, winning in 1 hour, 34 minutes, 9 seconds.

CSU rolls in women’s volleyball.

The Colorado State volleyball team, first in the Mountain West standings, beat TCU in straight sets (25-14, 25-17, 25-15) at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.

Denver Post staff and wire services