So this is it.

Colorado Rapids entertain LA Galaxy in the first Audi MLS Playoff game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park since 2011. (TICKETS)

It is ‘only’ a Western Conference semifinal. No silverware will be handed out on Sunday. But if Pablo Mastroeni’s men can turn around a 1-0 deficit then it will redouble their belief that they can go all the way to MLS Cup final this season.

Their first-leg defeat at StubHub Center last Sunday was disappointing but, on the balance of play, perhaps the Rapids fans will be satisfied with just a one-goal defeat. It puts the second leg on a knife-edge and their lack of an away goal means Rapids will have to score three goals at home for only the second time this season if the Galaxy were to find the net inside the first 90 minutes.

But then Rapids are unbeaten at home in 2016 and, during that spell, have achieved 10 clean-sheets. It is entirely feasible that this team could play a safe first hour, steal a goal and try to push Bruce Arena’s side into the deep water (and high altitude) of the final minutes. Or even extra-time.

For that reason, players, fans and media alike will need to be patient on Sunday. Of Rapids 39 goals this season, 28 have arrived in the last 30 minutes and only twice have they achieved the type of two-goal victory that will see them through in 90 minutes. Mastroeni will not mind a cagey first half as long as his side do not concede.

The head coach has decisions to make. Jermaine Jones was a second-half substitute last weekend and would come closest to scoring for the visitors. But it was his first appearance since July 4 and, with extra-time a possibility, should he start on the pitch or the bench? Despite the need for a safety-first approach, Mastroeni knows his side must score inside the 90 minutes and he will want more offense than last weekend. But what should he change, if anything?

Organization, determination and battle have got Rapids to this position. Add a goal or two and it could take them to the Western Conference final.

THE OPPOSITION

The Galaxy had the better of the first leg but their solitary goal had an element of fortune about it. Axel Sjöberg deflected a header from Gio dos Santos into the top corner with Tim Howard left flatfooted. The Mexican is usually more efficient than that. In fact, he is the most lethal striker in MLS on the road, converting eight goals from only 11 chances away from home in 2016.

But then the Galaxy are the best in MLS at finishing “big” chances with an impressive 60.3 per cent. Add that to an 18.8 per cent goals-to-chances ratio, another League high, and you have a side capable of snatching a strike on the counter and breaking Rapids’ hearts.

On the flip-side, they are not watertight in defense. Arena’s side have allowed 545 shots on goal, the worst in MLS, and importantly, they have conceded half of their goals in the final 30 minutes of matches. With the altitude and potentially extra-time, Rapids will hope that statistic will come back to haunt the Galaxy.

Info

Referee: Mark Geiger

Team News

Rapids: Serna (knee)

Galaxy: Zardes (foot)

Broadcast

TV: ESPN

Radio: Altitude AM950 and La Invasora 87.7FM

Notes

Here are the all-important facts for Sunday:

Away goals count in the first 90 minutes only.

Only a 1-0 win to the Colorado Rapids will take the game to extra-time.

If it is tied after 30 minutes of extra-time then the game will be decided via a penalty shoot-out.