The Colorado Rapids will play their first match in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday against Oklahoma City Energy FC of the United Soccer League (USL). Tuesday’s match will mark the first meeting of the two teams.
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Oklahoma City Energy FC is currently sitting in the bottom half of the USL standings in 12th (4-5-2), though within striking distance of the playoff places, and they are making a run in the U.S. Open Cup. OKC entered the competition in the second round, defeating Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (UPSL) 5-1. In round three, OKC edged the Colorado Spring Switchbacks 2-1 in a match which came alive in the second half.
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OKC’s head coach is former Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Nielsen became the club’s first head coach when he took charge in December 2013, just days after helping Sporting KC claim victory in the MLS Cup. Nielsen made a total of 128 regular season appearances, starting on every occasion, with six of these against the Rapids. He also faced the Rapids in the 2011 playoffs for SKC, keeping a shutout in both games. In eight total games against the Rapids, Nielsen had a 4-0-4 record.
Another familiar face that Mastroeni’s men will see is 2010 MLS Cup winner Anthony Wallace. Wallace made 23 regular season appearances (15 starts) for the Rapids, between 2010 and 2013.
Players to Watch
A big key for the Rapids will be getting the better of OKC’s defender Mickey Daly. Daly leads the OKC’s backline in interceptions (27), clearances (47) and blocks (eight). He also is a force to be reckoned with in the air, winning 71 percent of his aerial challenges. Prior to joining OKC, Daly split time last season between Bethlehem Steel FC (USL) and the Carolina RailHawks (NASL), appearing in 34 games between the two clubs. He also featured for Sacramento Republic FC in a 4-3 win over Rapids Reserves in June 2014. Kortne Ford played in that game for the Rapids, replacing Davy Armstrong after half an hour.
OKC’s attacking threats are Alex Dixon and Miguel Gonzalez. So far this season, Dixon has scored two USL goals for OKC, with six of his 14 shots on target. He also netted twice in the win over Moreno Valley in round two. In 2011, Dixon signed with Houston Dynamo as a homegrown player, making 13 MLS appearances. His only start in MLS came at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on the last day of the 2013 regular season. Before signing with OKC, Dixon was at Jacksonville Armada FC (NASL), where he played 538 minutes in 15 games, recording two goals and one assist.
Gonzalez will be familiar with Colorado’s altitude as he played the last two seasons with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, prior to arriving at OKC. He appeared in 53 games with the Switchbacks, scoring 16 goals and chipping in with nine assists. This season, Gonzalez has just one league goal and tallied 22 shots, with 12 of them on target. He also scored in the Open Cup win over Moreno Valley.
And, though he missed Saturday's 0-0 tie with San Antonio through injury, Wojciech Wojcik has three goals in his last three appearances, in all competitions. He scored twice last Tuesday in the 3-2 win over Phoenix Rising. He also scored what turned out to the winning goal in the third round victory at the Switchbacks.
The match between the Colorado Rapids and the Oklahoma City Energy FC will kick off at 7:00 PM MT inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It will be broadcast on Altitude Radio AM 950 and streamed LIVE by clicking HERE.
