8pm • Paramount +/CBS Sports Network Weather: Low 50s, light winds and 40% chance of showers Wednesday night the Rapids host San Jose Earthquakes in a US Open Cup quarterfinal match. Both teams advanced to this round by winning their previous matches on their home pitch. The Earthquakes started their campaign with a 2-0 win v Phoenix Rising in which they had to play with ten men for a portion of the match. They Followed that up with a 4-2 win over MNUFC in the round of 16. Young attacking midfielder Beau Leroux put in two in that match. In the round of 32 the Rapids squeaked by Union Omaha 1-0 on a Dante Sealy goal. They followed this up by a thrilling PK (5-4) win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Tied 1-1 after 90’ and 2-2 after 120’ with both OT goals coming in the last five minutes - the Switchbacks scored a PK in the 120’ following a 115’ goal from Georgi Minoungou. Bruce Arena’s side got off to a hot start this season climbing to the top of the Western Conference table. They mauled San Diego and LAFC and also beat the Whitecaps 1-0. However, injuries seem to have derailed their ascent with both Timo Werner and Niko Tsakiris going out long term a few weeks ago. Werner’s hamstring injury will likely keep him out of this match while Tsakiris is recovering from groin surgery and is definitely out. With these two injured the last SJ win was in their Open Cup game v MNUFC. Over their last five matches they’ve gone 1-2-2. Injuries combined with fixture congestion has bitten the Rapids in recent weeks with their only win in the last five coming at MNUFC a week ago. These aren’t the only reasons for the poor form, with an inability to score like they were earlier in the season combined with a few individual mistakes to assist contributing to the downturn. The midfield seems to have finally recovered from the injury bug but it’s likely that Zach Steffen will miss this match with Nico Hansen in the net. This has been the Rapids’ deepest run in the Open Cup since 1999 when they lost in the final to the Rochester Rhinos. It’s likely Matt Wells will go with a starting lineup that includes key players like Rafa Navarro, Lucas Herrington, etc. He’s repeatedly stated that this competition is very important to him and the team. Rotation is most likely to take place on the wings and in the midfield. Under Arena the Earthquakes have been playing direct and up with wings while ceding possession and looking to break out. Attacking young attacking midfielder Beau Leroux who scored twice v MNUFC, winger Ousseni Bouda and striker Preston Judd (9 goals and 2 assists) are going to be key to the SJ attack. With the Rapids wanting to build out of the back and hold possession it’s likely Arena will have his side look to break off turnovers. Both teams follow this match with MLS matches on the weekend with the Rapids hosting Dallas and SJ traveling to Portland. The winner of this match plays the winner of the St. Louis CITY - Houston match on Sept. 15 or 16 in the semifinal.
For the first time in 10 years the Rapids have beaten another MLS team in a knockout competition!* For the first time in 20 years the Rapids have beaten another MLS team in the Open Cup! * - The Leagues Cup 3rd place game is technically recorded as a draw, and then Kicks From the Mark were used to determine who got 3rd place and the CCC spot.
Only watched the second half and I was in a rotten mood because of the Avs and Rockies losses. Glad the Rapids won, but that was really awful soccer. The Earthquakes were not particularly urgent in their play. Seemingly disinterested. Again, maybe that was just me and my lousy mood. And the Rapids players seemed real happy about the win after the game.
Two first half goals by the Rapids put them into the semi-finals of the US Open Cup for the first time since 1999. Unlike their first two Open Cup matches this season, the Rapids made this one anti-climatic by taking control with first half goals and continuing to press the Earthquakes. Rafa Navarro looked to have scored the first goal with a header only to have it waved off after a VAR review found Rob Holding offside on the buildup. This didn’t slow down the Pids as they worked their way into the attacking third with more frequency and win corners. In the 39’ Dante Sealy played a short corner Paxten Aaronson who returned it Sealy who then whipped in a left footed cross that found Darren Yapi far post for the opening goal. After the match Matt Wells stated that Yapi played a complete match including playing as a wing back late in the match with defensive responsibilities. After the loss at RSL, Wells talked about the Rapids playing the scoreboard and thus getting conservative. That was not the case in this match with a continued push to get another goal in the half. It paid off in stoppage time when an SJ player had a ball hit his hand and with a quick VAR check it was ruled a PK. Rafa calmly buried it and the Rapids went into the break with a two goal lead. The Rapids were effectively applying high pressure most of the second half which found SJ having trouble getting the ball beyond midfield. Repeatedly the Rapids picked off attempts to break out using longer balls hit on the ground. Ironically, the Rapids had the same issue early in the match. At times the second half seemed to lack the intensity of the first. The Earthquakes looked a bit lethargic and the Rapids were having trouble generating quality chances. Not having Timo Werner and Nico Tsakiris may have added to SJ’s struggles in generating an effective attack. For this match Matt Wells rotated five players with Reggie Canon getting his first start since returning from his injury. Rob Holding, Josh Atencio, Darren Yapi and Dante Sealy were the others rotated in. One interesting tactical change was the way in which Miguel Navarro was deployed in the attack. When the Rapids were playing out of the back and in possession he became a holding midfielder along with Atencio. When SJ was on the attack he was at left back. This allowed both Wayne Frederick and Paxten Aaronson to play higher up the field. For the second time in his most recent stint as a starter, Nico Hansen was the highest rated player on the pitch. He totaled six saves in this match. It’s gonna be a long wait till the Rapids get to play St. Louis CITY in the semifinal with the game slated for Sept. 15 or 16. Saturday night the Rapids host Dallas for their final match before the long World Cup break.
A rock at the back 🪨Lucas Herrington helps Colorado Rapids to a 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes to reach the US Open Cup Semi Final for the first time since 1999 where they will host St Louis City 💪#SocceroosAbroad pic.twitter.com/oEiKbkryiB— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) May 21, 2026