Shane Wiedt Red Card Helps Colorado Rapids See Out Wild Open Cup Game at Sacramento Republic

Colorado Rapids played in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. It was a tricky match at Sacramento Republic. Last year’s finalists from the USL Championship were unbeaten in league play. Combined with just two days rest, this was a tough test. The Burgundy Boys were up for it.

Head Coach Robin Fraser rotated heavily coming off a trip back home after a win at LA Galaxy on Saturday. Jonathan Lewis and Michael Barrios started up top. Danny Leyva made his first start with the Rapids as did Michael Edwards in a back three. Sebastian Anderson and Alex Gersbach were in as wing backs. Marko Ilić started in goal. Andreas Maxsø, Max Alves, and Ralph Priso were the only starters from Saturday to start in this game. Darren Yapi was not in the matchday squad at all.

Sacramento came out flying in the first half. They threw numbers forward and were active out wide. Colorado gave them space and did not manage gaps well enough. Republic took advantage.

The Rapids however would take a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes against the run of play. Four minutes in, Priso won a ball in midfield. He passed forward and eventually Leyva found Lewis cutting up the middle. Lewis made a nice move to round the keeper and pass the ball into the net. It was his fourth goal in four games.

Edwards opened his Rapids account 15 minutes in. He was unmarked on the first corner of the game for the visitors, guiding the into the back of the net with a header.

Republic doubled down on their approach, outshooting Colorado 9-2 in the half. They deservedly got on the board a half hour in. Keko Gontán got space on the flank and sent a cross to Sebastián Herrera who headed the ball in. The half ended 2-1 to the visitors.

Fraser responded to the first half performance with three substitutions, bringing on Sam Nicholson, Danny Wilson, and Keegan Rosenberry to secure the defensive shape.

The second half was just as wild as the first. Herrera and Jack Gurr combined on a very similar sequence to make it 2-2 in the 52nd minute. Three minutes later, Colorado took the lead, again against the run of play. Barrios hit the far post from outside the box. Nicholson was Johnny-on-the-spot to tap the rebound in to make it 3-2.

Things appeared to get easy for Colorado as Shane Wiedt got two yellow cards in two minutes an hour in. First he hit Nicholson late in the body. Then he took Lewis down from behind. Still, Sacramento dictated play, had more of the ball, and created chances.

Colorado however got their insurance goal on 81 minutes. After a turnover, Nicholson sent a long ball to substitute Braian Galván who eventually picked out Barrios for a header to make the final score 4-2.

More good offensive results:

Colorado kept the momentum from the weekend going. Lewis now has four goals in for games, all competitions. Barrios scored again and was great in transition. Nicholson opened his 2023 account. Edwards got his first goal as well. Galván got his first assist of the year. Seven goals in two games is miles better than where this attack was a month ago. Fraser’s side is now nine games unbeaten.

“I just have to keep the consistency. I’m trying to contribute to the team however I can. Whether I’m coming off the bench or starting, I’m just trying to contribute and be confident in myself,” Lewis told Burgundy Wave when asked about how he can keep up is form.

Worrying defensive:

The two goals conceded were almost identical. That’s a concern. Granted, the hybrid backline might have contributed to that. The fact that they were outplayed thoroughly in the first half is bad. Three halftime subs didn’t change that significantly. One could argue Sacramento was still the protagonist down a man for 30 minutes.

“Lack of confidence in that moment. A bit more security in keeping the ball, it could have looked different. Those are the moments where we can continue to mature. Really evident moments where we need to keep the ball. Those are certainly things we will discuss going forward,” explained Fraser post game.

“They definitely created some problems for us. We scored the two early goals but after that they took control. In the second half, we weathered the storm. That’s what we should have done in the first half,” added Lewis.

The fringe players who got rare starts in this game weren’t dominant. Fans could be concerned the bench players aren’t in a position (yet) to challenge the starters to push the club forward.

Is this a Cup Run?

Downing a finalist from last year who are great at home in this competition is no small feat. Two wins over lower division teams while scoring a bunch is notable for the Rapids historically. First Round of 16 appearance since 2017. Best cup run under Robin Fraser. A favorable draw at home in the next round could easily see the Pids through to the quarterfinals. Fraser said the club is very serious about reversing the narrative around the club and this competition.

Photo Credit: John Babiak.