Meanwhile the side that Salt Lake eliminated with its late equalizer, the Colorado Rapids, is taking its time over whether or not to make interim head coach Gary Smith's position a permanent one.

Smith himself seems unsure of his wishes. "I think I need to sit down, take a deep breath," he told Brian Forbes. "It's been a very interesting and strange and emotional season all rolled into one. [The head coaching position] certainly wasn't the reason I came to the club. I'd like to just take a couple days to think about what has happened."

Rapids managing director Jeff Plush said Saturday: "I think it's fair to say he wants the job, but we haven't actually talked about that in quite some time." Defender Mike Petke had no doubts that Smith should be offered the post, saying that "Gary being in here has made it unbelievable, and I tell you right now, if he does not get this full-time job, then somebody up there has a screw loose. He's one of the best coaches I've ever had."

The Rapids were 4-4-2 under Smith, who took over after the mutually agreed departure of Fernando Clavijo. Plush "gave no timetable for the hiring process, only that it would happen soon," writes Forbes.

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