Player Ratings: Colorado Advances to U.S Open Cup Quarterfinals, Top Colorado Switchbacks in Penalties

Matt Wells and the Colorado Rapids progressed in the US Open Cup after 120 minutes and penalties to decide the I-25 derby. 

The match finished at 2-2 in regular time, with a late Minoungou goal, before Colorado Springs received a lifeline penalty in the 120th minute. In penalties, the Rapids won 5-4 with help from Nico Hansen and a Keegan Rosenberry winning penalty. 

It’s the Rapids first appearance in the U.S Open Cup quarterfinals since 2006, but the next stage won’t be any easier, as Colorado advances and will host the San Jose Earthquakes in the next round. 

The Rapids return to MLS play away at Houston Dynamo on the weekend. 

Nico Hansen

Nico Hansen got another start for the Rapids in a cup match. In the win against Union Omaha, he got a clean sheet and played really well. Tonight, he was imperative in the Rapids advancing with multiple saves and a strong penalty shootout performance. There were lapses in buildup play. With so many questions surrounding Zack Steffen’s place, Hansen continues to put together a solid resume. 8/10

Reggie Cannon

Back from injury, Cannon was strong in defending and buildup play. The Rapids have missed depth at the wingback position, and it was a strong return for Cannon. In buildup, he linked up well out wide and stifled a lot of the Switchbacks’ attacks. Cannon was subbed out at the half for Kosi Thompson, likely a change to gain more control wide 7/10

Noah Cobb

Since his Seattle start, Cobb hasn’t seen much of the pitch, but he’s been strong off the bench and works with his opportunities. Colorado advances to the next round, thanks to the backline that dealt with the Switchbacks attack through 120 minutes with ten men. Cobb was composed on the ball and had key interceptions. A strong performance. He was subbed out after the 90 for Rob Holding. 7/10

Lucas Herrington

Another solid performance. Of the two Switchbacks goals, there’s not much Herrington could have done. The penalty goal is harsh late on in extra time, and on the set piece, the ball bounces into the right area for the equalizer. Herrington made key interceptions, was composed, and even scored in the penalty shootout. 8/10

Miguel Navarro

A really strong performance on the night. Colorado Springs played a high line that always looked to catch the Rapids attack offside. Navarro always looked forward when receiving the ball out wide and played several dangerous balls. He defended well on the night, but like many Rapids players, got silly and eager on tackles. 7/10

Hamzat Ojediran 

Ojediran played well defensively. He’s had a lot of minutes on the legs with fixture congestion becoming more apparent. He got into pockets well, broke lines, and was strong in tackles. He missed opportunities to go forward and could’ve been more precise. He was subbed off at the half for Minoungou. 7/10

Josh Atencio

A good night for Atencio, he progressed the ball forward and was key in buildup phases. Again, the midfielder struggled at times to time the ball forward through the Switchbacks high line. Atencio was really unlucky to give away a penalty in the 120th minute. It’s a harsh handball and an unlucky end to a good performance. 7/10

Wayne Frederick

In at the ten over Aaronson again during the midweek. Frederick was bright, dynamic, and had a multitude of chances at the end of the match. His work rate and pressing was phenomenal, and Frederick continues to impress as he matures. He was subbed off in the 101st minute for Rosenberry. 7/10

Darren Yapi

Yapi had a good night. Much of the Rapids chances came from the counter attack and Yapi’s pace was beneficial and effective. He looked dangerous, despite not getting on the scoresheet. Yapi’s night ended in the 83rd minute, making way for Ali Fadal. 7/10

Rafael Navarro

Thanks largely to Navarro, Colorado advances deeper into the U.S Open Cup. His work rate was top class again. There wasn’t a lot of joy in behind against Colorado Springs, because of the high line, but he was world class in checking down into space, holding up play, and running forward. On the first goal, he gets around a couple and slips it into Alexis Manyoma. On the Rapids second, it’s classic striker hold up play, a header behind into space, and he notches two assists. 9/10 man-of-the-match 

Alexis Manyoma

Manyoma got the start out wide and delivered a good performance. He was active and always looked to change the game. On his goal, he gets slipped in by Navarro and does really well to score. He put dangerous balls in all night. The winger position continues to rotate every week and Manyoma continues with good performances off the bench. He was subbed off in the 72nd minute for Dante Sealy. 8/10

Substitutes

Georgi Minoungou

Subbed on at halftime for Ojediran and what a performance off the bench. Minoungou was brought in to provide attacking quality and be the extra edge in games. He was the extra edge for Colorado late on. On the second goal, Minoungou bursts forward and shows great composure to fire Colorado in the lead. 8/10

Kosi Thompson 

Thompson had his hands full with Yosuke Hanya out wide and a Colorado Springs attack that caused a lot of issues. He defended well, but showed really poor composure and game intelligence to dive in on the straight red card. Thompson doesn’t have to win the ball there and he and Colorado paid for it. 5/10

Dante Sealy 

A good night for Sealy off the bench. He came on for Manyoma in the 72nd and offered fresher legs out wide in a game that had begun to get frustrating. He took players on, looked dangerous, and helped to keep the game controlled late on. Also put away his penalty. 7/10

Ali Fadal

Subbed in at the 83rd minute for Yapi, the appearance marked his first team debut. He didn’t look out of place and was strong defensively. Fadal added a lot of work rate to the middle and was key late on in extra time with the man down. A deserving debut. 7/10

Rob Holding

Holding subbed on in extra time for Cobb. Holding provided a bit more experience and composure to the backline. He did wonderful to defend and hold off the Switchbacks pressure. He also scored in the penalty shootout. 7/10

Keegan Rosenberry

Rosenberry subbed on in the 109th minute for Wayne Frederick. He added a lot of experience to the backline, and he was key in holding off relentless attacking pressure. Rosenberry made sure of his winning penalty and Colorado advances. 7/10

Matt Wells

Wells has described the Open Cup as a huge opportunity for silverware this year, and he’s been right behind returning the Rapids to the quarterfinals. 

Colorado controlled large stretches of the game, but struggled to put it away. The Rapids were the expected winner and buildup and quality looked stronger in the first 45.

It was a frustrating second half and end to the game for Wells, but Colorado showed real mentality to avoid a disappointing result. 

Wells also really showed the depth of the Rapids, using all substitutes, and being a bit more direct at times. It’s a sign of a good team, being able to dig deep and advance on a difficult night. 

Unfortunately, the fixtures don’t get easier, but Wells and Colorado advances and have every right to continue their deep run.

Good teams win ugly sometimes. 7/10