COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 15, 2019) – The Magic of the Cup giveth. The Magic of the Cup taketh away. After a gut-check in Midland, Texas (under crazy travel circumstances), FC Denver are out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In a 1-0 match, a goal by Kwasi Donsu won the game for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Kwasi Donsu Golazo Lifts Switchbacks Over Worthy FC Denver
This was an evenly played match from start to finish. FC Denver focused more on the counter attack while Colorado Springs tried to get numbers into the attacking half. Goalkeepers Jacob Peterson and Abraham Rodriguez were busy and save for one shot, were up to the task every time.
Peter Jacobson had the best chance of the first half for the visitors in the 24th minute. After some quick passing, Jacobson got the ball in the middle of the box but was unable to score.
In the 39th minute, winger (and Colorado Rapids Homegrown player on loan) Matt Hundley made a run down the flank and took a shot near the six yard line. He didn’t get enough on it and the save was made.
The play of the night was made just before halftime. On what initially seemed like a harmless play, Kwasi Donsu got the ball from outside the box. He uncorked a shot that bounced right in front of goal and went past Peterson to score.
The two teams traded chances in the second half but Rodriguez and Peterson stood tall and kept the ball out of the net. The match ended 1-0.
Kwasi Donsu ?#COSvDEN
Watch on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/VZL1RuCDlk
— SwitchbacksFC (@SwitchbacksFC) May 16, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Goalkeepers play well: Outside of the shot on the goal, that was difficult to judge, the goalkeepers were excellent tonight.
FC Denver deserves respect: The Colorado Premier League side was fantastic in their first round match and gave their USL opponent everything they could handle. For a bunch of guys with day jobs, they have nothing to be ashamed of despite the result.
Home field at altitude not so much: Normally we see Colorado Springs have a solid home advantage playing at altitude at home in league play. Being from Denver, the visitors were in their element at altitude and did not fade away like most visitors to
