Yapi hour came right on time.

Facing an uphill battle for a playoff berth with nine games to go, Colorado Rapids forward Darren Yapi put his team on his back. With his first-ever brace in a 2-1 win over Minnesota United at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn., the 20-year-old gave the Rapids new life days after losing their best player to a transfer.

Starting the day in 10th place in the Western Conference — out of the playoff picture — the win put Colorado in eighth and sets it up strongly for a relatively easy schedule to round the regular season out. Minnesota could have jumped Vancouver for second in the West with a win.

Yapi broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a run down the left flank, then a move toward the middle and a calm, powerful finish toward the right side netting. Sam

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