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.

0:00 - Intro

5:06 - The DNVR Rapids crew gives their expectations for the remainder of the season

7:45 - What's keeping the Rapids from being a top-tier team?

18:00 - Biggest takeaways from the Miami matchup at Mile High

27:36 - Big takeaways from the Vancouver matchup

33:27 - US Open cup predictions

40:09 - Previewing the Switchbacks matchup Wednesday night

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The Colorado Rapids just put the league on notice. After a wild ref induced 3-2 loss in Toronto, Matt Wells’ squad returned to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and absolutely dismantled the Houston Dynamo in a 6-2 thrashing. Plus, we got our first taste of US Open Cup in a long while.

In today’s episode, the DNVR Rapids crew breaks down the "6-pack" win, Georgi Minoungou’s electric debut, and whether this team is a legitimate Western Conference contender. Plus, we look ahead to the massive 30th Anniversary match at Empower Field against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

Topics on today's show:

• The Big Takeaways: Is this the most entertaining Rapids team ever?

• Toronto Heartbreak: What went wrong in the 3-2 loss at BMO Field?

• Houston Beatdown: Analyzing the 6-2 explosion and new signings Kosi Thompson and Georgi Minoungou making an immediate impact.

• U.S. Open Cup: Can the Rapids make a deep run this year?

• Record Watch: Is Rafael Navarro on track to break the Rapids' single-season scoring record?

• Messi is Coming: Previewing the Inter Miami clash at Mile High.

• Transfer Rumors: Is Sam Kerr actually coming to the Denver Summit FC and NWSL?

• New Kid on the Block: Early impressions of $2M signing Georgi Minoungou.

• The Verdict: Are the 'Pids for real?

Intro: 0:00

Rapids hot: 3:30

Big takeaways from the games: 18:24

Miami game this weekend: 40:38

Sam Kerr to the Summit?: 50:44

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Colorado Rapids have added some serious fire power at the end of the transfer window with the likes of Georgi Minoungou and Loic Williams. Will theses additions be enough for Matt Wells to make the Rapids a real contender? Denver Summit FC have broken the record for the largest attendance to any non international women sporting event, but their biggest accomplishments have come on the pitch. Getting favorable results against top NWSL teams has put them in a spot ready to compete for the rest of the season. USMNT and the rest of CONCACAF battled European juggernauts in their latest friendlies. How did they fair against high level competition? Join Andre Simone, Duane Brown and Yahir Vazquez as they discuss all things soccer on the DNVR Rapids Podcast.

0:00 - Intro

2:35 - Dre gives his full reaction to Italy getting eliminated from World Cup contention

5:45 - Key takeaways from the Rapids last few matches

19:00 - A new look at the new Pids players

37:50 - Denver Summit initial reactions

47:15 - USMT takeaways

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Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

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