Mon. Nov 4th, 2024
rmc open cup
Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

The draw for the Round of 16 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup took place earlier today. Colorado Rapids were in the West region with Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy, and LAFC. The draw ended up with Colorado hosting a Rocky Mountain Cup and El Tráfico. For the first time since 2007, Colorado will play RSL in a cup competition. This RMC Open Cup game will now be one of four games the teams play this year, three of which will be at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park.

The Round of 16 will take place between May 23-24. Colorado vs. RSL will be Wednesday, May 24, 8 PM MT. The Quarterfinals will be from June 6-7. Should Colorado advance, they will host that Quarterfinal match against the winner of El Tráfico. The first RMC game of the regular season takes place May 20 in Commerce City, so this is (to our knowledge) the first team the clubs will play each other twice in a week.

This is massive for the club, the fans, and the rivalry.

Firstly the Rapids beat the curse of the Rochester Rhinos in winning two games in the same Open Cup for the first time this century. They won the first South Platte River Derby then got the job done in a tough situation at Sacramento Republic. The club’s rounding into form and are unbeaten in nine games all competitions. Granted the Max Alves controversy from this week has dampened the mood this week.

With the altered schedule this year in MLS, Colorado and RSL play each other three times in league play, two of which are Rapids home games. This is the first time the teams will player each other four times since 2007. They’ve met twice in the Open Cup, in 2006 and 2007. Colorado won both of those games.

Three home games against RSL in one year is a real treat for the supporters and an opportunity for the club. They’re trying to change the narrative around the club in the Open Cup. They’re one of the most Cupset teams of all time and the only MLS team to lose a final against a lower division team (1999 against the Rhinos). They now have an opportunity to continue that and turn the tide against RSL in the Rocky Mountain Cup. Or RSL can end both those joys with wins in Commerce City on May 20 in MLS play and May 24 in the Cup.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

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