NFL
By Keith Richards
Today is a special rendition of the Rapids Report with Team NBS! Fresh off another miracle equalizer against St. Louis CITY SC Saturday, the Rapids are right back at it again Wednesday. The opponent is Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in the third round of the US Open Cup. It will be the first time that Hailstorm FC faces its southern neighbors, the Colorado Rapids. Before the Rapids face Hailstorm FC in the US Open Cup, let’s get to know the Northern Colorado team a little more.
Northern Colorado FC was founded just two years ago and is based in Windsor, CO. They play in USL League One. Just a step below the championship tier. So far this season, Hailstorm FC is undefeated with a record of 2-0-2. One of those wins includes a 3-1 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in an earlier round of the US Open Cup.
It will be the second time Northern Colorado faces an MLS team. In 2022, Hailstorm FC defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 in the US Open Cup. While the team realizes how big the moment and opportunity are, they are still confident. Head Coach Eamon Zayed stated, “Easier said than done, but if we keep a clean sheet Wednesday we’ll win the game.”
So, while it would be easy to dismiss Hailstorm FC as lesser competition in the US Open Cup, Northern Colorado has no intention of just being happy to play at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Hailstorm FC intends to win this US Open Cup match. If the Rapids intend to win, they will need to continue the progress they’ve gained in their attack.
Though the Rapids did need a late equalizer to earn the point, they dominated St. Louis for much of the match. Colorado outshot CITY SC 21-9. 13 of those shots were on goal and 18 of those shots were inside the box. The Rapids finished with a 3.2 xG, which is the best they’ve had all season. While the team did start the year very slowly in terms of their attack, it feels like they’re on the cusp of breaking out in a big way, which is something Head Coach Robin Fraser feels as well.
After the CITY SC match, I asked Coach Fraser what he feels about the confidence of the team during their recent undefeated streak. He responded, “I think getting a draw against a really good St. Louis team is a little infuriating for the team because they felt like they created enough chances to win…. I know at the end of the day, this is a results-oriented business, and people look at the record and go, ‘What’s wrong with Colorado?’”
Fraser continued by stating, “After this performance tonight, I’m more convinced than ever that it’s coming…. But I’m really proud of the performance tonight. I’m really proud of what we’ve done in the last five weeks, and it makes me feel like this group of guys that I speak so glowingly about week-to-week are very closed to breaking through.” So, will this be the match that Colorado breaks through?
While it’s not the only reason the Rapids’ attack has struggled to get to this point, it is important to note that Colorado has suffered numerous injuries to key attacking players to start this season. Jonathan Lewis, Diego Rubio, Braian Galvan, and Cole Bassett have all missed time in the first nine games of the season. So, part of the issue is consistency.
With Rubio, who is the engine of the attack, back and gaining form, you can see the attacking players starting to piece it together. The attack has been more consistent, the runs more consistent, and the shots on target are increasing. Now, the Rapids need to start finishing these chances. There is no better chance than the US Open Cup to polish the rough edges.
It’s hard to know who to expect in this US Open Cup match and for how long we’ll see them on the pitch. I think Northern Colorado will come out with a spirited effort, but the sheer talent of the Rapids will overwhelm them in the end. I predict a 3-0 victory with goals from Barrios, Cabral, and Yapi. It should be a good day for the Rapids in this US Open Cup match.
Team NBS will be in the building for this US Open Cup contest. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for live updates of the match. Don’t forget to refresh your Rapids gear and check out our other MLS coverage!
