Kansas City, KS (My Sportsbook) - The Colorado Rapids escaped their last two matches with draws on extra-time penalties, and visit the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday in need of a win to solidify their playoff chances.

Colorado (10-8-8) is level with Seattle Sounders FC for fifth overall in MLS, but in addition to being just five points off the pace of overall leader and defending MLS champion Columbus, it is just four above the playoff cut off.

Conor Casey converted both penalties in extra time, both resulting in 1-1 ties against the San Jose Earthquakes. Casey leads MLS with 15 goals, a new team record for goals in a single season.

"In the end we are very fortunate to get a point," Colorado coach Gary Smith said Wednesday after the second match in six days against San Jose.

Colorado is 2-2-1 in its last five matches, but plays just three more games in the MLS regular season. That makes each game crucial for the Rapids.

"The important thing to gain from here is to have a short memory and get ready for Kansas City," Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni said.

"We need to accumulate points as soon as possible to make sure that we get a good chance to get into the playoffs."

Rapids defender Julien Baudet was confident his side could do what is needs to do to hold onto a playoff berth, although it managed just a point against the Earthquakes - who are winless on the road - in their last match.

"It is there for us and we are in a good position," Baudet said. "It is really just up to us."

Colorado does have concerns after announcing Friday midfielders Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith have been ruled out for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Kansas City (8-11-6) sits 12th overall in the 15-team league but still has its sights on a playoff spot. K.C. defeated FC Dallas 3-2 last weekend, and with a few more wins over the final weeks of the year, could sneak into the playoffs.

"We had to win this game for our season to continue," Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad said after the Dallas match.

Conrad, who made two defensive mistakes to allow both of Dallas' goals, scored the game-winner in the closing stages to rescue his club last week.

"I had the weight of the world on my shoulders there for a while," he said. "There were no defensive mistakes tonight it was just two mistakes by me, which led to two goals. It hurts, but you move on. I am not pleased with my performance overall, but it was nice to get that back with a goal late."