Rapids outlast Galaxy in Open Cup play-in match

Colorado wins on penalty kicks, moves on to face winner of Seattle, Real Salt Lake

Jacob Peterson (L) and the Rapids beat Yohance Marshall and LA on penalty kicks. (Getty Images)

After 90 minutes of regulation time and two 15-minute overtime periods ended in a scoreless tie, the Rapids defeated the Galaxy 4-2 on penalty kicks at The Home Depot Center. Goalkeeper Preston Burpo blocked shots by Chris Klein and Mike Magee during the shootout to seal the victory for the Rapids, who played with a man down for nearly 90 minutes after Greg Dalby was sent off in the first half.

Colorado next plays the winner of the April 28 play-in game between Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake, with the winner of that game qualifying for the Open Cup.

This game was nothing like Colorado's 3-2 MLS victory on Saturday, first and foremost because only eight combined starters from that game started again on Tuesday night. Both teams had three players each who made their first-ever starts for their teams.

The Rapids were also forced into a different style after being left with the man disadvantage. Before that even happened, Colorado squandered some serious scoring opportunities.

Colorado's initial chance was squandered in the 13th minute, when forward Ross Schunk's clear shot from just inside the box missed wide right. It was unfortunate, especially after forward Jacob Peterson beat a defender down the left side and set Schunk up beautifully with a perfect cross while closing in on the left post, but to no avail.

A defensive miscue by Gregg Berhalter almost cost LA dearly in the 31st minute. Berhalter, making his debut after signing with LA last week, mishandled a ball that came his way, leaving Peterson to steal it. Peterson had a clean look from the right side and aimed his shot for the far post, but the roller missed wide.

The dynamics of the game changed against Colorado in the 36th minute after Dalby was issued a straight red card for a hard tackle against the Galaxy's Stefani Miglioranzi.

The Rapids faced a lot of pressure from the Galaxy's attack out of the gate in the second half, as LA came close to capitalizing on advantage early on.

In the 49th minute the ball bounced around inside the box until midfielder Jovan Kirovski fired a clear shot directly at Burpo. LA then missed one of its best opportunities in the 53rd minute when Peterson lobbed a pass into the box for Sean Franklin, who had position on a Rapids defender but whiffed with his left foot just steps in front of Burpo.

Perhaps feeling as though enough was enough, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena brought on regular starters Alan Gordon and Chris Klein in the 61st minute. The Galaxy thought they had scored on a Gordon header in the 71st minute, but the play was negated by an offside call -- the first of many close calls involving Gordon to ensue.

Gordon almost scored again just before the end of regulation, but his flick of the ball in the 87th minute barely landed over the crossbar.

Gordon had five different instances in which he almost scored during overtime, including a shot that was inadvertently blocked by his own teammate, Jordan.

The Rapids' best shot in extra time came in the 107th minute on a Mehdi Ballouchy rocket that was blocked by Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders.

Simon Jude Samano is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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