April 24, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
WINDSOR, Colo. – For the first time, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will take on the state’s MLS club as they face the Colorado Rapids in the inaugural Platte River Derby in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
“It’s a massive game for the club,” Hailstorm captain Rob Cornwall said. “”First time playing Colorado Rapids. A big organization, a really, really good team, and we’re looking forward to it.”
The game will be the second for Hailstorm FC against MLS opposition. Cornwall scored a 70th minute goal to give his team a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake in the Open Cup last season.
“Easier said than done, but if we keep a clean sheet Wednesday we’ll win the game,” Hailstorm head coach Éamon Zayed said.
The Rapids are unbeaten in their last five games, all in MLS play, though four of those results have been draws. Colorado has salvaged draws in their last two games with stoppage time equalizers from forward Michael Barrios, who was the team’s leading scorer in 2021, and is their only player with more than one goal this season.
Despite needing the late goal from Barrios to secure a point, Zayed said he was impressed with what he saw from the Rapids Saturday against St. Louis CITY SC.
“I watched them Saturday against St. Louis and they should have won the game, possibly by a cricket score they had so many chances,” Zayed said.
Similarly, Hailstorm FC midfielder Marky Hernández is the only player to score twice for his club, though Northern Colorado has played five fewer games than their MLS counterparts. Hernández scored against South Georgia Tormenta FC in the league and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the second round of the Open Cup.
One wrinkle the Rapids will throw at Hailstorm FC is their three-at-the-back system, something Northern Colorado has not faced this season.
“Knoxville, who we play in a couple weeks, play three at the back. Madison, who we play after Knoxville, they play three at the back, so maybe it is good preparation against a team that play three at the back,” Zayed said.
Wednesday’s game kicks off at 7 p.m. Mountain time and will be streamed on the Rapids YouTube channel.
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