Colorado Rapids forward Dominique Badji has yet to find the net in his first trip to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but Sunday could prove an opportune time for the second-year pro to break his duck.

With the Rapids trailing 2-1 after the first leg against Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Final as the contest returns to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sunday (4 p.m. ET | ESPN), a 1-0 victory at home would be enough for the Rapids to return to the MLS Cup Final for the first time since 2010.

A 1-0 home win has been familiar territory for the Rapids this season. The side accomplished just that result eight times in the regular season, and then did so again against the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Semifinals before advancing in a penalty shootout.

Badji, who had a pair of goals in his six appearances for the Charlotte Independence last season before returning to the Rapids, could be the player to strike on Sunday. The 6-foot forward notched six goals and four assists in the regular season for the Rapids this year, and notched a pair of shots on goal in the first leg in Seattle. 

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READY TO RISE: Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmezter claimed a pair of USL Championships in his previous stint leading the team before the club joined MLS in 2009, but despite the turnaround the side has seen since he was appointed as first interim and then permanent Head Coach this season, on Saturday he placed the reason for the turnaround at the feet of the players.

“I’m going to remember the fact that the players put the work in and had a really successful season to come from the beginning of the season with Sig [Schmid] and Oba [Martins] and some of the things we overcame to this point now,” Schmetzer told media. “The players have done a really tremendous job of making that happen.”

Schmetzer claimed the USL Coach of the Year award in his first season with the Sounders in 2002, and then led the side to the USL First Division Championship in both 2005 and 2007. The side also reached the final in 2004, where it fell to the Montreal Impact – a side it could face should it advance to the MLS Cup Final.

The Sounders aren’t looking ahead of the task in Colorado, however, with the side knowing a draw would be enough to send the side to its first MLS Cup Final in its history.

“This is a final for us,” said Schmetzer. “The team understands that this is a final, so what happens in the next game, if we have a next game, those things will come later, but we’re treating this as a final.”