![\"Darren](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TDP-Z-YAPI.jpg\")
Darren Yapi #77 of the Colorado Rapids celebrates his first half goal with Rafael Navarro #9 during their 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on May 20, 2026 in Commerce City. (Photo by Dustin Bradford\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Almost two years later, Yapi struck first in the 40th minute on a set play from a corner kick. Dante Sealy and Paxten Aaronson had a give-and-go on the initial corner, then Sealy sent in a wonderfully-placed cross to Yapi at the back post, who headed it in off the ground past San Jose keeper Daniel. It was his fourth goal in all competitions this season and first since signing a five-year U-22 extension.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of Yapi, that was by far and away a standalone performance of what he\u2019s produced this season. \u2026 The mentality he showed tonight was everything I\u2019m trying to push him to become,\u201d Rapids coach Matt Wells said. \u201c\u2026 His selflessness and the way he helped the team (offensively and defensively) has got to be a reference point for him and a benchmark for him. On top of that, we can build and keep improving the individual quality, and when we do that, we\u2019ve got a top player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafael Navarro, with his ninth goal in all competitions this season, doubled the lead in the 45+10th minute from the penalty spot after Reid Roberts handled the ball inside the box.<\/p>\n
San Jose, down a pair of its best players but still with plenty of quality on the field, rattled 12 shots (six on target) but none with much more than an outside chance of going in. The closest the Earthquakes got to scoring was a laser of a shot in the second half, destined for the left post, but it was saved by Nico Hansen.<\/p>\n
The Rapids\u2019 history in the Open Cup has been less than favorable. On both occasions, they made it to at least the semifinal (1996, \u201899), they lost to the Rochester Rhinos in the semifinal and final. Since then, the Rapids have only made two quarterfinals (2006, \u201807) and have not beaten MLS competition in the Open Cup since beating Real Salt Lake in the 2006 round of 16.<\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019re just two games away from Wells cashing in on a promise to win hardware with Colorado, at the moment just five months into his tenure. Wells, having won the Europa League as an assistant at Tottenham in 2025, is familiar with the feeling. Yapi hasn\u2019t had the honor yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe play to win trophies, and to be one step closer \u2014 the vibes in the locker room and just the whole club is very very high, and we\u2019re excited for that semifinal,\u201d Yapi said. \u201cThe guys tell me it\u2019s the best feeling in the world (to win a trophy), so tonight I wanted to show I really want a trophy. I really want to experience it and what it\u2019s like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colorado will have to wait a while to inch closer to that reality. The semifinal will be played against St. Louis CITY on a yet-to-be-announced date in mid-September. St. Louis is the only team so far this season to beat the Rapids at Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park<\/a>. The winner of that match will play the winner of Orlando City SC and the Columbus Crew in October.<\/p>\n