COMMERCE CITY — For most of the game, the players on the field made more noise communicating with one another than the sparse flock of Rapids fans in attendance did. Such is the limited attraction of a U.S. Open Cup game against a team from the second-tier United Soccer League.
When Rapids center back Bobby Burling left Tuesday night’s game with an injury late in the first half and painfully climbed the stairs to the locker room, the expletives he shouted were heard loud and clear.
Coach Pablo Mastroeni started only two regulars and two semi-regulars. The game was entertaining, though. Oklahoma City Energy FC scored twice in the first half and the Rapids scored three after intermission for a 3-2 win that advances Colorado to the tournament’s round of 16.
Second half sub Dominique Badi (49′) and defenders Eric Miller (66′) and Dennis Castillo (89′) were the goal scorers for the Rapids.
Oklahoma City had to win games in the second and third rounds to reach Denver, but participating MLS teams don’t enter the tournament until the fourth round.
Colorado resumes MLS action Saturday with a home game against Portland.
