Having beat the third-tier Colorado Springs Switchbacks handily in the fourth round of the US Open Cup, 4-1, the Colorado Rapids move on to the round of 16.
On Thursday morning, the remaining teams were involved in a draw to determine groups based off geographical locations and each teams’ next opponent.
The Rapids were placed in the Central Region, along with FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo and Sporting KC. They will face the Houston Dynamo June 30 or July 1.
#Rapids96 to face @HoustonDynamo on 6/30 or 7/1 in @usopencup Round of 16. Full story here: http://t.co/RsQ7dRmiFw pic.twitter.com/N0ZWKZc40N
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 18, 2015
#USOC2015 Round of 16 Draw Geographic Grouping – Central Region: @ColoradoRapids@FCDallas@HoustonDynamo@SportingKC
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) June 18, 2015
Colorado went up against the Dynamo earlier in the regular season where the match ended in a draw. As is the fifth round, the game was played in Houston but due to multiple injuries and international call-ups, the Dynamo didn’t play four of their starters.
If the Rapids are able to produce a win, they’ll meet the winners of Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas.
The Rapids’ USL affiliate Charlotte Independence will face the Chicago Fire in the fifth round, as well. They are one of only two non-MLS teams still alive in the tournament.
Colorado will also take on FC Dallas Friday at 7 p.m. in a regular season MLS match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Mike Tolbert, a Mile High Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver contributed to this report