Rapids Drop Out of the U.S. Open Cup as the Misery Piles On

2023 is suddenly looking bleak for the Colorado Rapids, as they were unable to overcome Real Salt Lake yet again. The U.S. Open Cup was a tournament that Colorado had publicly prioritized, and crashing out to their bitter rivals will do little to convince fans that a turnaround is imminent. 

Robin Fraser opted to make only four changes to the side that lost out in the Rocky Mountain Cup last Saturday, as Marko Ilić, Möise Bombito, Danny Leyva, and Michael Barrios replaced William Yarbrough, Danny Wilson, Connor Ronan, and Jonathan Lewis. 

Pablo Mastroeni’s starting eleven underwent a series of changes, with Pablo Ruiz being the only surviving starter from their 3-2 win over Colorado at the weekend. 

Turnovers Were Key

The Rapids started brightly, leading to a half volley from Keegan Rosenberry in the 5th minute, but 18-year-old Gavin Beavers was quick to parry wide. Sam Nicholson almost had a goal of the season contender, when his left footed rocket from 25 yards out was touched on to the crossbar by Beavers. 

This seemed to stir something in Real Salt Lake, as they assumed control of the match and were rewarded in the 30th minute, when Andreas Maxsö saw his pass intercepted leading to an majestic, yet uncontested curling effort from Jefferson Savarino on his U.S. Open Cup debut. 

Colorado showed a willingness to respond, but their lack of cohesiveness in the final third made it difficult to generate high quality looks. The best chance throughout the remainder of the half fell to Michael Barrios, but his left footed strike was of no bother to Beavers and it crashed into the side netting. 

Rapids Somehow Look Worse in Second Half

Barrios was then replaced by Jonathan Lewis to kick off the second 45. The Rapids looked lethargic upon the resumption of play, as Real Salt Lake were inches away from a second, when Maikel Chang found himself unmarked inside the box and headed it onto the far post. 

An appalling spell of misplaced passes prompted Fraser to make a switch, as midfield stalwart Connor Ronan was substituted into the game for Braian Gálvan. The Irish midfielder, as has often been the case this season, looked to be the only spark of creativity for Colorado, and was responsible for the Rapids’ one and only shot on target of the second half in the 67th minute. 

Calvin Harris was the lone attacker remaining on the bench, but Fraser preferred to bring on Danny Wilson and Anthony Markanich first as Colorado. Harris was eventually subbed on in the 78th minute for Kévin Cabral, who did not make a significant impact on the game. 

Colorado was able to get some breaks down either flank, but were wasteful with their crossing, Lewis and Nicholson in particular. 

A second half in which Real Salt Lake looked pedestrian at times will cause even more frustration among the Rapids and their supporters, due to their inability to create chances, let alone capitalize on them. The Open Cup represented the Rapids only realistic shot at winning silverware this year, and that too has now fizzled out. They are yet to win at home this year, and have lost four in a row across all competitions. 

It won’t get any easier on Saturday, as the Rapids will play host to red-hot FC Cincinnati, the current leaders of the Eastern Conference. 

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken.

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