No one, even Mother Nature, wanted the Rapids to earn a much-needed road victory on Tuesday. Despite dominating play in the second half, Colorado fell to Houston 1-0 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup round of 16 in a game that was delayed nearly three hours due to rain.
On a rain-soaked field and trailing at the break after a Mauro Manotas header at minute 43, Colorado had four solid chances in the second half but could not find the back of the net.
Jared Watts sent a header off the post in minute 51 off a free-kick from Vicente Sanchez. Eight minutes later Sanchez missed wide on a cross from Charles Eloundou. Kevin Doyle, playing alone in the front of the formation, dragged a shot wide just a minute later. And at 70 minutes Houston keeper Joe Willis made a save on a low shot from Marcelo Sarvas, ending 25 minutes of pressure from Colorado.
Willis was stellar on the evening, making additional saves on Sanchez and Doyle in minutes 85 and 88.
With the loss, Colorado is eliminated from Open Cup play. Houston moves on to the quarterfinals, a place Colorado has not visited since 2006.
The Rapids return to action on July 4 at home against Vancouver.
