COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC hung level with the Colorado Rapids for much of the contest, but the MLS side got a late goal to take a 1-0 victory on Tuesday night in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Dicks’ Sporting Goods Park.

The Switchbacks had the first major threat on goal in the 10th minute when Luke Vercollone forced a save from the Rapids’ Zac MacMath, but as the first half went on the hosts began to have the better chances. Dominique Badji shot just over for the Rapids five minutes later, while fellow former PDL standout Dillon Powers had a shot blocked just half the half-hour mark as the Switchbacks quickly cleared the deflection.

The Rapids pressure continued into the second half, as Badji twice had opportunities inside the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Miguel Gonzalez also had a shot from distance saved for the Switchbacks in the 56th minute, while Powers forced a save from Switchbacks goalkeeper Billy Thompson soon after.

Thompson came up big for the Switchbacks with 13 minutes to go as he tipped a free kick onto the post and out for a corner Colorado Springs was able to clear. With six minutes to go, though, the Rapids took the lead as Dillon Serna fired home a shot from just outside the penalty to put the hosts ahead.

The goal brought end-to-end action to close out the contest, as Jordan Burt first went close to an equalizer for the Switchbacks moments before Luis Solignac hit the post for the Rapids. Serna’s goal stood as the winner, however, as the Rapids claimed their place in the Fifth Round.