Conor Casey scored in the 82nd minute as the Colorado Rapids defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match at The Home Depot Center on Tuesday night.
The Rapids will now play at Kansas City on June 4, with the winner advancing to the tournament proper.
Casey's goal came as both teams seemed destined for a 30-minute extra time period. Terry Cooke, though, saw to it that the match would end in regulation as he placed a cross in the center of the penalty area, a ball which Casey powered into the back of the net for the visitors.
The goal was significant for Casey, who has seen just six minutes of action during the regular season.
The match also marked the season debut for goalkeeper Preston Burpo. The former Chivas USA and Seattle Sounders goalkeeper joined the Rapids from San Jose in a trade a week ago.
Burpo was tested in the third minute as Carlos Ruiz put a header on goal. Burpo dived and pushed the ball over the crossbar and out of harm's way.
Rapids defender Stephen Keel cleared a ball off the line in the seventh minute. Burpo roamed off his line to try and clear a bouncing long ball, but after a collision with LA's Brandon McDonald, the ball trickled toward the goal line before Keel coolly ran back and knocked the ball out of the penalty area.
Conor Casey tested his luck from 20 yards out in the 11th minute but missed the right post by a few feet. The shot was Colorado's first of the match.
Tom McManus was booked in the 12th minute after leveling Galaxy defender Abel Xavier. McManus slid into Xavier and upended the former Portuguese international and quickly saw yellow.
Burpo made a diving save in the 36th minute that nearly cost his team a goal. Edson Buddle ripped a shot on goal from 25 yards. Burpo dived and made the save, but the rebound bounced off the post and hit Burpo's back. The ball, though, trickled toward the goalpost and rolled harmlessly across the end line.
Colin Clark slammed a shot on goal from 12 yards out but Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin was in good position and stopped the shot with his chest.
Nick LaBrocca picked up a yellow card in the 49th minute after he failed to move out of the way of a Galaxy free kick. Peter Vagenas lined up a set piece but LaBrocca stood in front of the ball and argued with referee Jasen Anno as Vagenas slammed the ball into LaBrocca's legs.
Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo made his first substitution of the match in the 67th minute when Omar Cummings replaced McManus at forward. Cummings leads the Rapids with three regular-season goals.
Clavijo went to the bench moments later when Ciaran O'Brien replaced Clark in the midfield.
It was Cooke who finally tilted the match towards Colorado's favor. On a quick counterattack, Cooke settled the ball on the right flank and picked Casey out. Casey rose for the header and tucked it into the left side of the net.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
