Sporting KC did a great job against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night, defeating the third-best team in the West 4-1 to preserve their slim playoff chances.

Alan Pulido scored goals in the first and second half and Erik Thommy scored two goals himself after coming on as a substitute in the second half.

Michael Edwards scored a consolation goal for the Rapids in the 75th minute.

With 8 wins, 7 draws and 15 losses, Sporting (31 points, four games left) must overtake three teams in the table to get into the playoffs. Minnesota (39 points, five games left) occupies the last playoff spot.

Sporting was out to attack the Rapids’ defense from the start, which has allowed the fourth-most goals in the Western Conference. Overall, Sporting had more shots on goal than the Rapids, 31-6, the club’s highest shot-on-goal ratio this season.

Pulido was the first beneficiary of this aggressiveness. A cross into the box intended for Willy Agada was cleared by a Rapids defender straight to Pulido, who made no mistakes and finished the ball low and hard to the left of Zack Steffen.

Pulido scored another goal in the 49th minute under almost identical circumstances.

Ten minutes later, Pulido was substituted by Erik Thommy. Shortly after coming on, he increased the lead to 3-0 with a calm shot into the bottom corner.

Although Sporting conceded another goal from a set piece in the 75th minute, a cheeky backheel from Michael Edwards, it didn’t matter. Seven minutes later, Thommy scored again on a counterattack to decide the game.

Sporting KC is back at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night, playing Minnesota United at 7:30 p.m. A win would narrow the gap between the two in the standings to five points. A loss would knock Sporting out of the playoff race.

Daniel Sperry Covers Football for The Star. He can be reached at Sperry[email protected].