COMMERCE CITY, Colo – Things looked different tonight at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, as the Colorado Rapids took the pitch. In search of The Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup Round of 32 win, the Colorado team welcomed Union Omaha to the Centennial State for the first matchup in club history.
Coming off a massive 6-2 win against Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, that secured the most club points of a single match in almost the last six years, the Rapids remain undefeated at home. Now with an additional 1-0 win against Omaha tonight to add to the slate.
As kickoff approached, many regular season traditions were missing. In the absence of pyrotechnics and flag ceremonies, the majority of fans were sectioned in the east, leaving the remainder of the stadium empty. Regardless, the south bank welcomed drum lines and flags that echoed throughout the park as the starting XI took the pitch.
After starting two matches earlier this season, Nico Hansen reclaimed the starting goalkeeper spot for the match. The 24-year-old Florida native allowed four goals and totaled nine saves across both the LA Galaxy and New York City match ups this March. Hansen was promoted to fill in for senior captain Zack Steffen who was out for both matches due to injury.
Both Jackson Travis and Miguel Navarro returned to starting defensive roles following a one match suspension due to receiving red cards Week 8 against Toronto.
With a slow start, the clubs showcased equal possession and defensive matchups throughout the first half. Keegan Rosenberry held the Rapids captains’ band for the matchup, and both he and Hansen showcased a physical and vocal matchup with the opposing team.
Colorado forward Dante Sealy opened the scoring for the match with a routine goal in the 21st minute, assisted by Rosenberry, bringing the team to a 1-0 lead and claiming the first goal of the Rapids 2026 U.S Open Cup Campaign and his first with the club after being acquired this past offseason.
“I know it will mean a lot to him. If you ask him, he will say that sometimes I’m quite harsh on him. But, that’s because I see massive potential in him as a player,” head coach Matt Wells said. “The lack of a goal to that point had started to weigh on him. Delighted for him that he gets his goal tonight and can just relax and focus on being himself.”
The domestic tournament, that the Rapids haven’t competed in since 2023, marks the first meeting of Colorado and the young club. The Ohama team, which was founded in 2019, has remained one of the USL League One top sides since 2020 and has claimed top of their league three times with two additional league titles.
As the first half progressed, a relatively seamless matchup remained. Back-to-back saves from Hansen late in the 42nd minute allowed for heightened energy entering halftime. The first card of the game was given to the Omaha bench in the 44th minute.
Unable to obtain a successful shot, Colorado’ s defensive line helped the home team to enter halftime leading 1-0, with Omaha remaining scoreless.
Entering the second half, Sealy received the team’s first yellow card in the 47th minute and another to Rosenberry and Hansen later in the half.
Multiple potential injuries occurred throughout the match including Alexis Manyoma in the first half and Noah Cobb in the 60th minute, who each received on pitch treatment before returning the game.
Despite returning, Manyoma marked Wells’ first substitution of the match. In replacement, Georgi Minoungou entered the pitch in the 55th minute. Minoungou made his first Rapids appearance Saturday night after being acquired from the Seattle Sounders earlier this season.
Rafael Navarro was substituted in for Sealy in the 69th minute, followed by Alex Harris for Paxten Aaronson and Wells final substitution entering Nathan Tchoumba for Yapi.
The 15-year-old midfielder was called up earlier today from Rapids 2 on a short term agreement and makes history as the youngest player in Rapids history to take the pitch, playing four minutes.
“The more I’ve watched of the Rapids 2 training, he has really excelled and there’s been great reports about him,” Wells said. “He definitely warranted the opportunity. Once you meet him and see his level of maturity.”
Wells acknowledged the age of Tchoumba and has emphasized that his career trajectory is still questionable despite being optimistic. “Maybe now he makes his debut. Maybe now he has to wait four months before he plays again. Maybe it’s a year before he plays. You never know in football.”
Both teams showcased dynamic rosters, making significant amounts of substitutions within the second half. Omahas’ Brandon Knapp, Dylan Borczak, Sami Guedri and Camron Lawrence all saw the pitch in place of Kempes Tekiela, Adrian Billhardt, Laurence Wootton and Diego Gutierrez.
Omaha dominated the second half in physicality, receiving four yellow cards in the final minutes.
Ending the match 1-0, the Rapids will continue in the tournament to face off against the USL Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the Round of 16. The Switchbacks defeated Sporting Kansas City in a 3-0 Round of 32 matchup earlier tonight.
Regular season games will resume for the Colorado team this weekend. Inter Miami FC, the reigning MLS Cup Champions, and Lionel Messi, will travel to Empower Field Saturday, April 18, for the Rapids 30th Anniversary matchup. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. and the team will begin in stadium preparation Friday.
“We have to keep our same identity and attack how we always attack at home,” Sealy said. “I think good things will happen if we stay our identity like always.”
The highly anticipated matchup will likely feature the return of Steffen at goal, and feature newly acquired Kosi Thompson who was responsible for two of the Rapids six goals earlier this week, in his Rapids debut.
The match celebrates the club’s inaugural home match April 21, 1996, against the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas), where the Rapids won 3-1, led by a brace from Rapids legend Marcelo Balboa. Weekend activities are TBA but will feature many fan engagement opportunities for what is expected to be a full crowd.
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