On April 9th, the Colorado Rapids’ defense had a rare defensive mix-up which allowed Joao Plata to slip in a goal unopposed in the 72nd minute giving Real Salt Lake a 1-0 victory. Following that night in Utah, the Rapids wouldn't lose for 15 games, the longest unbeaten run in club history.

Pablo Mastroeni’s side fell to New York City Football Club 5-1 on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. It had been 113 days since they had lost in MLS play. That translates to 2,712 hours, 162,720 minutes, or if you want to look at it in terms of the league season, beginning March 6th, 77% of the MLS calendar.

Before the run began, the Rapids had a 2-2-1 record, good enough for sixth place in the Western Conference at seven points. In the next 15 matches they recorded eight wins and seven draws accumulating 31 points which saw them rise to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Their reign at the top was cut short by FC Dallas in the latter stages of the streak, but the Rapids made plenty of progress in their run towards the playoffs.

Let’s take a look at this unbeaten run in more depth.

How it compares to other historic runs:

Fifteen games unbeaten is tied for the third highest streak in MLS history. Only FC Dallas (19), Columbus Crew (19) and Real Salt Lake (18) have longer streaks to their name.

Where the goals came from:

Through the 15 matches the Rapids had a +9 goal differential (20 goals scored, 11 goals conceded).

The highest goal-scorer in that time was Kevin Doyle with four followed by Jermaine Jones with three. Four players each had two goals and five players had one goal apiece.

Although the Rapids only scored three goals from outside the box, all three were game winners. Dillon Serna against Sporting Kansas City, Marco Pappa against Chicago and, most recently, Marlon Hairston against Sporting Kansas City.

Timing is everything:

Of the 20 goals scored, none came in the first 15 minutes and only five came in the first half. 40% of the goals were scored in the 76th minute or later, and 75% came in the second half.

When Goal were scored (min) 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90 Total Colorado Rapids 0 2 3 6 1 8 20

Personnel used during the streak:

It has been a carousel of personnel for the Rapids so far this season due to injuries, suspensions and international commitments, but every player who has been slotted in the lineup has maintained a high level of play.

Unbelievably, not a single time in the 15 game unbeaten run did the Rapids use the same Starting XI. They did this while using 21 players overall.

The Rapids were 90 minutes shy of going 24 hours of game time without losing. One game away from playing a full day’s worth of soccer without tasting defeat.

That 5-1 defeat was by far the Rapids' worst result this season, but it's not all doom and gloom going forward. They still sit in second place in Supporters' Shield standings with 38 points and with three games in hand over table-topping FC Dallas.

An unbeaten run like this was great for everyone associated with the club, but it was only a matter of time before it ended. Now the Rapids will move on to the next match at home where they have another streak to protect.

Dick's Sporting Goods Park has been a fortress this season for the Rapids where they have gone 8-0-3 and gained 71% of their points.

They'll look to bounce back from the tough loss in New York with a home win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a team who will be looking for some revenge following Axel Sjöberg's stoppage time equalizer last month.