Player Ratings: Rapids Advance in U.S. Open Cup, Oust Omaha 1-0

Commerce City, Colo.- In Round 32 of the U.S. Open Cup, Colorado handled business against USL League One Side, Union Omaha.

The Burgundy Boys defeated Union Omaha 1-0 thanks to Dante Sealy wrapping the ball into the bottom corner early in the first half off a Keegan Rosenberry press. The goal was the only one of the night as the Rapids defended well and held off Union Omaha’s counter attacking threat. 

While not as dominant as the weekend, Matt Wells rotated the lineup and still got a favorable result to advance to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. That match is Wednesday April 29 at DICK’s at 7 pm MT.

Nico Hansen

Hansen was back in the starting lineup after his appearances during the league while Zack Steffen worked through his shoulder injury. He was strong in buildup play and made an outstanding save early on to keep Colorado in front. Overall, a strong performance and hard to complain about a clean sheet. 7/10

Miguel Navarro

Navarro got the start after his suspension in Toronto. In a game like this one, Navarro defended well and got forward. After the first goal, there wasn’t a lot of creativity out wide, but a performance to be proud about. 6/10

Rob Holding

Solid from Holding. Again, on a cup night, taking away a clean sheet and advancing to the next round, it’s difficult to point fingers at the backline. Holding was strong defensively and looked composed once again. 6/10

Noah Cobb

It was Cobb’s first start since the Seattle season opener. He defended well tonight and looked dangerous on set pieces and with cutting balls through Union Omaha’s backline. Cobb should be happy and will continue to build on the weekend performance as well as this one. 7/10

Keegan Rosenberry

Another start for the veteran. A very good performance. He added width and attacking quality at times. On the opening goal and eventual game winner, Rosenberry wins the ball off the press and Sealy does the rest. A really active and bright game from the captain. 8/10

Jackson Travis

Travis returned after his straight red card in the away match at Toronto. It was a different position for him, as he slid into the midfield. Travis did well to get into pockets and progress play forward. He was active and nearly scored himself late on in the second half. 7/10

Hamzat Ojediran

Another strong performance for the defensive midfielder. Ojediran was key in receiving the ball and progressing it forward behind Union Omaha’s lines. He made several key stops that stifled counter attacks and played a big part in the clean sheet. 7/10

Paxten Aaronson

At the ten, Aaronson caused a lot of problems for Union Omaha. He got the ball in pockets and drove at the backline, creating chances and danger. It’s been a good year so far for Aaronson, and he continues to string along strong performances. 7/10

Dante Sealy

One of the better performances from Sealy in a Colorado shirt. Sealy was pacy and dynamic, taking on players and causing a lot of problems. On the game winner, he gathers the ball off of the Rosenberry press and does brilliant to slide it into the far corner. After the goal, he continued to get forward and create. Finally, the goal comes for Sealy. 8/10 man-of-the-match

Darren Yapi

Yapi was at his more normal spot as a true number nine against Union Omaha. He made good runs into space and had a few chances at goal. He’s been super effective out wide early on in the season, but there seemed to be a lack of quality in the final third overall. 6/10

Alexis Manyoma

Manyoma got the start after being a valuable tool off the bench for Wells and looked dangerous at times. It was a frustrating cup battle for Colorado, and as the game went on, there were less chances out wide, which made it difficult for both wingers to be effective. 6/10

Substitutes

Georgi Minoungou

More minutes on the legs for the new winger. Minoungou subbed in at the 55th minute for Manyoma. He was bright and was never afraid to go 1-v-1 with a defender or two. There was a good chance late in the second half for his first goal, but Union Omaha defended well. Overall, a good night. 7/10

Rafael Navarro

Navarro came on for Sealy in the 68th minute and provided a lot of attacking threat late on. He pressed well, received on the half turn and created a lot of chances. It’s a great start to the season for the 26 year old with nine goal involvements so far. 7/10

Nathan Tchoumba, Alex Harris subbed on too late to be judged fairly.

Matt Wells

Historically, Colorado has not been great in the Open Cup. They are the only MLS team to play more than 20 matches and remain at a .500 record. 

The good news is that they avoided a cupset and advanced, despite not being as dominant or exciting as Wells would like. Wells didn’t shy away from continuing to play his style and did not heavily rotate the squad. 

Even with different guys, the Rapids were effective and did enough to advance. Well’s lineup and style points to him seeing the Open Cup as a potential trophy to claim. For me there’s no reason Colorado can’t. 

As Wells begins to face fixture congestion, he gets the clean sheet and result, and that’s all that matters on a cup night in Commerce City. 7/10

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