Commerce City, Colo. - Once again, Colorado and Kansas City will square off where the winner moves one step closer to another championship. The Rapids will visit Sporting KC on June 5 in the 4th Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park (6:30 MT), marking the ninth time these teams have met in an elimination round of a competition.
The Rapids advanced by defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1 in Florida, earning their first Open Cup proper win since 2007. Sporting reached the 4th Round with a 3-2 win over the Orlando City Soccer Club at home.
As charter members of Major League Soccer, the Rapids and Kanas City have met 50 times in regular season action. KC has the slight edge, posting a 17-20-13 all-time record against Colorado, including the 2-2 draw at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on May 19.
KC has also eliminated the Rapids in three of the four encounters over the years, including last year.
However, the Open Cup has seen a reversal of fortunes, with Colorado knocking KC out in three of the four single-elimination meetings, most recently in 2010.
MLS Cup Playoffs - Colorado vs KC:
1997 Quarterfinals: The series was a best of three games format. Colorado defeated KC 3-0 and 3-2 in the first two games on their way to the 1997 MLS Cup final.
2000 Quarterfinals: The winner was the first to five points (3 for a win, 1 for a tie). KC won the first leg 1-0, the teams tied game two 0-0, and KC held on for a 3-2 win in the final game. KC would end up with their first MLS Cup title.
2003 Quarterfinals: In the aggregate goal format, KC moved on by winning the second leg 2-0 after the teams tied 1-1 in game one.
2011 Semifinal Series: KC advanced with a 4-0 aggregate after winning both games 2-0.
U.S. Open Cup / Qualifiers: Colorado vs KC:
1996 Quarterfinals (Sept. 15): in Colorado's first-ever Open Cup match, Chris Henderson's 85' minute goal gave the Rapids a 3-2 win over KC at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
2003 4th Round (Aug. 3): Henderson's 58' minute goal tied the match at 2-2, and John Spencer scored the game-winner in the 67' in a match played at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada, Colo.
2008 Qualifer (June 4): KC's Ivan Trujillo tied the match at 2-2 with an 86' goal. After a scoreless 30 minute extra time period, KC won the penalty kick shootout 5-3 to move on at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas.
2010 Qualifer (April 13): Teal Bunbury gave KC the early lead, but Wells Thompson scored in the 20' and 80' to give the Rapids the come-from-behind win at Stanley H. Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
