[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] The Colorado Rapids fell at Santos of Mexico, 2-0, Wednesday in the Concacaf Champions League but will still qualify for the knockout stage if Isidro Metapan and Real Espana tie Thursday in El Salvador, Otherwise, the winner of the Group B finale will join Santos in the quarterfinals ...

Only a win over Santos would have clinched a berth for the Rapids, who started five players from their 0-0 tie with Real Salt Lake in Thursday's MLS match.

But Santos, which rested seven starters from the team that played in the Mexican league last weekend, won on second-half goals by Aaron Galindo and Jesus Escoboza.

The Rapids looked to be in good shape in the regional competition until their 2-1 loss at home to Real Espana on Sept. 21. A week later, Coach Gary Smith didn't join the team for their trip to El Salvador, where the Rapids beat Metapan, 3-1.

Key players such as Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne and Jeff Larentowicz, who didn't play against Metapan, started against Santos.

This time, Smith was with the Rapids.