MLS NEXT Pro Colorado Rapids 2

Colorado Rapids 2 to Host Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup

Published on March 22, 2024 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Colorado Rapids 2 News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo.- Colorado Rapids 2 will host Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC of USL League One in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer announced. The match will take place on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. MT at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.

Rapids 2 has advanced to the next round of the Open Cup following a 3-0 victory over Colorado Premier League's Azteca FC on Thursday night. The match marked the first-ever appearance of the MLS NEXT Pro side in the tournament's long history. The win was highlighted by goals from Rapids 2 defenders Josh Belluz and Daniel Garcia and forward Alec Díaz. Rapids First Team defender Sebastian Anderson added two assists off of corner kick services while midfielder Wayne Frederick recorded his first-ever assist for the club.

Northern Colorado will enter the Second Round on the heels of a 4-1 win over NPSL side Tulsa Athletic. In recent editions of the Open Cup, Hailstorm have recorded three wins over teams from higher divisions, with two wins over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC of the USL Championship and a win over MLS side Real Salt Lake in 2022.

During the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, the Colorado Rapids First Team faced off against Northern Colorado in the Third Round of the tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating Hailstorm in a 3-1 victory. Rapids 2 midfielder Marlon Vargas made his first-ever appearance with the Rapids First Team during their Open Cup match against Hailstorm, recording a start and playing 61 minutes of the match.

The winners of the Second Round will advance to the Third Round of the tournament on April 16-17.

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