NFL
By Keith Richards
The Round of 32 for the U.S. Open Cup is here! After a 3-1 victory over Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in round three, the Colorado Rapids face Sacramento Republic FC on Tuesday night in California. The Rapids look to continue to advance in the Open Cup while continuing on its unbeaten streak, which now sits at eight games. Before discussing the prospects of Colorado in this Round of 32 match, let’s meet Republic FC.
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Sacramento Republic FC will not be a walkover for the Rapids in the Round of 32. This is a very stout team! In the USL Championship League, Sacramento is 5-3-0. That’s good for the top spot in that league with a goal differential of plus 12. Furthermore, in their last five matches across all competitions, Republic FC has only allowed one goal. That includes a 1-0 win over the Oakland Roots in their last Open Cup. If Colorado is not ready and sharp, Sacramento Republic FC could be in line for a Cupset!
The Rapids, though, are feeling themselves heading into this Round of 32 match. As stated above, they’re unbeaten in eight matches and are fresh off a 3-1 dismantling of the LA Galaxy on Saturday. The match saw goals from Jonathan Lewis, Lalas Abubakar, and former Galaxy player Kevin Cabral. Here are some of the other highlights of the match:
• 50% of total shots on goal (10 total, 5 on goal)
• 46 duels won
• 11 tackles won
• 29 clearances
• 2.18 xG on target
• Six of ten shots inside the box
While Colorado did not come away with a clean sheet, the goal was allowed very late in the match after substitutes had come on. The Rapids’ defense has been pretty stout in its own right heading into this Round of 32 match. In the last five matches, they’ve allowed only five goals. That’s good for just a single goal per match. A lot of that has to do with consistency in the midfield.
While Bassett remains out, Coach Robin Fraser has been able to start some combination of Ronan, Max, Rosenberry, and/or Priso over several matches. With Wilson, Maxso, and Abubakar being stout in the back, communication has improved in the midfield and the results are evident. Aside from the unbeaten streak, Colorado has scored two or more goals in three of the past five matches heading into this Round of 32 match.
Both Connor Ronan and Lalas Abubakar earned Matchday 11 Team of the Matchday honors from MLS. Ronan had three assists in that match against the Galaxy. Abubakar’s defense was phenomenal in addition to scoring his first goal of the season. So, while Sacramento Republic FC looks to be stiff competition in the Round of 32, the Colorado Rapids appear to be up to the task.
Who plays in the Round of 32 for the Rapids in the U.S. Open Cup is as much of a mystery as the third round. While the squad does want to advance, they also have five MLS matches remaining this month after Tuesday. That includes three matches between the 13th and 20th against some tough teams. Luckily, three of those five matches will be at home.
I think we will again see a healthy mix of starters and Rapid 2 players in the Round of 32 as we did in the third round. You have to roll with the hot hand of Lewis who has three goals in the last two matches. Max has been strong and Cabral is heating up. I think we see both of them as well. The sacrifices of the first team likely come in the back. Maxso started the third-round match. We’ll see if he does in the Round of 32.
Sacramento Republic FC will be the refresher team but I still think the Rapids come away from the victory in the Round of 32. Republic FC will not make it easy, but Colorado is on a roll right now. I think Coach Fraser will have them amped and ready to go to continue their streak. I’m calling a 2-1 victory with goals from Lewis and Cabral.
I will be live-tweeting the match. So be sure to give me a Twitter follow. As always, don’t forget to refresh your gear here and check our Team NBS Media’s other MLS coverage.
