Life after Messi: Is the US Open Cup the Rapids’ Best Chance for a Trophy?

The road to silverware starts tonight. With the MLS season proving to be a gauntlet, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has officially become the most direct path for the Colorado Rapids to bring a trophy back to the Mile High City. In today’s episode, the DNVR Rapids crew previews tonight’s Round of 16 “Derby” against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. After a historic night at Empower Field that saw the second-largest crowd in MLS history (75,824 fans!) witness a battle against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, we re-evaluate where this team stands in the Western Conference hierarchy. How do the recent results against Miami, LAFC, and Vancouver shift our expectations for the rest of 2026? We dive into the tactical adjustments needed for the cup, the latest news surrounding the Denver Summit, and why tonight’s matchup against the Switchbacks is a “must-win” for momentum. On today’s show:

• US Open Cup Fever: Is this the Rapids’ best chance at hardware this season?
• The Messi Effect: Reflecting on a historic, record-breaking afternoon at Mile High.

After 10 games: the Rapids sit in the middle of the pack in the West (4-5-1). The US Open Cup offers a chance to pivot from “playoff hopeful” to “trophy winner.”

• Western Conference Reality Check: Analyzing the gap between the Rapids and the top-tier contenders like LAFC and Vancouver.
• The Local Derby: Previewing tonight’s Round of 16 clash vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
• Summit & Rapids News: Updates on the local soccer landscape and the NWSL’s Denver Summit.
• Tactical Preview: Who starts tonight? Rotating the squad for the midweek cup tie.