Commerce City, CO– It’s the I-25 derby in the round of 16 of the US Open Cup. The Colorado Rapids host the Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the third time ever, and for the first time since 2016. It was a fairly inconspicuous 1-0 win for the Rapids against Union Omaha in the Round of 32. The Switchbacks made easy work of MLS side Sporting KC in a 3-0 thumping. Can the Switchbacks produce another cupset, or will Colorado move on to the US Open Cup quarterfinals? Let’s take a look at the matchup.
When: Tuesday, April 27th @ 7:00 p.m. MST
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
TV/Streaming: Paramount Plus, CBS Sports Golazo Network
Middle of the Road Start in Colorado Springs
While it was an impressive win for the USL Championship side to beat an MLS team, it might not have been a cupset, given that Sporting KC is the team they are. There is an argument that the Rapids got the tougher opponent out of that matchup. Either way, the Switchbacks have had an exact middle-of-the-road start to 2026. Two wins, two draws, and two losses. They are 7th in the Western Conference, just like the Rapids.
However, the USL Championship side has picked it up recently. After starting the season with just two wins in their first seven, they have gone unbeaten in their last five, with three wins in those five. This will be the Switchbacks’ fourth US Open Cup game. They took down Azteca FC, Spokane Velocity on penalties, and Sporting KC in a convincing win. The Switchbacks are one of two non-MLS teams in the final 16.
Rapids Take Down Omaha, Face Switchbacks for Third Time Ever
The Colorado Rapids joined the US Open Cup a little further along than the Switchbacks did, only joining the competition in the last round. The Rapids faced off against USL League One side Union Omaha in their first and only match in the US Open Cup so far. It was a fairly straightforward 1-0 win for the Rapids, who dominated the ball and limited Omaha’s chances throughout the game. The one-goal win could be considered a little disappointing, but the name of the game is to advance, and that is exactly what the Colorado Rapids did.
The closest team to the Rapids in the top two leagues has not been a frequent visitor to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. This matchup has only happened twice, with the Rapids winning both times, and Dillon Serna scoring in both games. A 4-1 win in the first US Open Cup matchup for the Rapids included a red card for the Switchbacks, a brace from Serna, and goals from Dom Badji and Joseph Greenspan. The second game was a less eventful 1-0 win, with Dillon Serna scoring the only goal. The Rapids will look to make it 3-for-3 on Wednesday.
Lineup Prediction:
Hansen / Rosenberry (c), Cobb, Herrington, M. Navarro / Atencio, Frederick, Aaronson / Minoungou, R. Navarro, Sealy
Matt Wells did surprisingly little rotation against Union Omaha, and I would expect him to do something similar against the Switchbacks, going for the win. It’s refreshing to see that from past Rapids managers who failed to take the competition seriously. It raises concerns about the squad’s fitness level and how long Wells can maintain his lack of rotation during this tough stretch.
Wells also decided to have Jackson Travis play a hybrid center-mid role in the last US Open Cup match. That is difficult to predict, and Wells could very well do something similar again. Another go for Wayne Frederick at left-back, maybe Sealy plays in the middle, anything is possible with a Wells US Open Cup lineup. Just expect less rotation than past Rapids managers would have done.
Prediction: The Colorado Rapids bounce back after a tough three-game stretch in MLS and win this game somewhat comfortably. Rapids win it 3-1.
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Matt Pollard 
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