Jose Cancela and Herculez Gomez each put up a goal and an assist to lead the Colorado Rapids into the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup for the fourth time in six years with a 3-1 win over the USL First Division’s California Victory.
Cancela opened up the scoring in the 22nd minute on a free kick, then assisted on Gomez’ tally shortly after halftime. After Juan Epitie brought the Victory to within a goal in the 79th minute, Omar Cummings provided the final goal in the 89th minute off an assist from Gomez, making his first start for Colorado since returning from Venezuela following the US National Team’s exit from Copa America, in which he played two matches.
Colorado will hit the road to face the Seattle Sounders in the Quarterfinals on August 7. Since their run to the US Open Cup final in 1999, the Rapids have not made it past the Quarterfinal stage, falling to the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in 2002, eventual champion Chicago Fire in 2003, and the Los Angeles Galaxy last year.