Luck changes for Rapids

News wire services

Thursday, August 3, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY - After crashing out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in their first match in the past two years, the Colorado Rapids advanced to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win against

Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Jacob Peterson scored the only goal - it came in the 61st minute - setting up a meeting with the Los Angeles Galaxy in a final- eight game Aug. 23 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Rapids goalkeeper Matt Jordan was tested early, fumbling then scooping up a shot by Real's Chris Klein from 20 yards out in the sixth minute.

Nicolas Hernandez got the first hard look on goal for Colorado in the 23rd minute.

After receiving the ball just outside the corner of the box, Hernandez sidestepped Kevin Novak to create space for a shot that went over the far corner of the goal by only inches.

A few minutes later, Jordan stonewalled Real striker Jeff Cunningham from close range. Cunningham came crashing in on goal and fired a shot right into Jordan's chest.

Then just before intermission, Jordan repelled another Salt Lake shot from close range, this time from Klein.

First half - No scoring

Second half - Colorado, Jacob Peterson (Clint Mathis) 61.

Goalies - Colorado, Matt Jordan; Real Salt Lake, Jay Nolly.

T - 1:50. A - 4,546.