COMMERCE CITY — The first match between the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and the Colorado Rapids in a decade lived up to the billing. 

Colorado Springs spared no effort trying to best its Major League Soccer neighbors to the north as Switchbacks made play after play throughout the contest. Captain Matt Mahoney deflected a sure goal in the second half, keeper Christian Herrera made several big saves, including two penalties, and forward Khori Bennett converted a penalty kick at the end of extra time to give the Switchbacks a late equalizer at 2-2.

But the Switchbacks fell short at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as the host Rapids advanced in penalties 5-4. The result ends a historic run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for Colorado Springs. Wednesday marked the first time the club had made it to the cup’s round of 16.

“I’m just genuinely upset for them,” Switchbacks coach Alan McCann said. “They didn’t get rewards for any of those moments. They didn’t get the reward with the result. I’m just really proud of them.”

Colorado Springs plays in the USL Championship a division below MLS where the Rapids are, but it was unfazed by the theoretical skill gap. The Switchbacks turned the Rapids over frequently and advanced into the attacking third with regularity. 

The club’s determination led to several desperate tackles from the Rapids. One proved costly. In the 78th minute defender Kosi Thompson was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Switchbacks forward and former Rapid Yosuke Hanya.  

Despite playing down a man, the Rapids took a lead late in extra time as forward Georgi Minoungou netted what seemed to be the game winner off a goal kick in the 115th minute. 

But Colorado Springs kept fighting and earned a penalty off a hand ball two minutes later. 

Bennett, the team’s and the USL Championship’s scoring leader, buried the chance for the late equalizer in the 119th.  

The Jamaican forward’s foot sent the match into penalty kicks where Herrera made two saves. Colorado Springs couldn’t capitalize on its keeper’s heroics however and both forward Jonas Fjelderg and defender Patrick Burner failed to score. Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry scored the winning penalty to send the hosts to the next round of the tournament.

Following the opening kickoff, Colorado Springs set the tone early, but it was the Rapids who struck first. In the 25th minute, forward Rafael Navarro found midfielder Alexis Manyoma in transition and the latter put his strike past Herrera for the score. 

Colorado Springs responded in the 33rd minute as Switchbacks forward Sadam Masereka forced a corner kick. Forward Adrien Perez sent the ball in and midfielder Brennan Creek redirected it for the equalizer. The goal is Creek’s first for Colorado Springs. 

Despite a strong start to the second half for Colorado Springs, the Rapids had the first good opportunity following intermission. In the 56th minute, Colorado forward Darren Yapi put a strike past Herrera but Switchbacks defender and captain Mahoney backtracked and kicked the ball out of play before it crossed the line. 

Herrera stood tall in goal for Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks keeper made several key saves. He denied a strike from Rapids defender Reggie Cannon off a corner kick in the 36th minute. He stopped a shot on a one-on-one chance from midfielder Wayne Frederick in the 73rd minute and stonewalled the hosts on a shot from inside the 6-yard box in second-half stoppage time. He also deflected an attempt from Navarro out of play late in the first 15 minutes of extra time. 

Colorado Springs will return to USL Championship regular-season play following the loss. The club travels to San Antonio FC on Saturday.