PAUL BRAVO SET TO RETURN TO STARTING LINEUP AS RAPIDS TRAVEL TO CREW STADIUM ON SATURDAY

Rapids Look To Even Season Record At .500;
Mid-Week Trade Sends Anderson To Tampa, Opens Spot For Okoh

WHAT:		The Colorado Rapids face the Columbus Crew on Saturday 
night, April 22, at Crew Stadium.  Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 
p.m (MT).

RECORDS:	Colorado Rapids (2-3-0, 6 points)
		Columbus Crew  (2-2-1, 7 points)

TELEVISION:	Fox Sports Net

RADIO:		KMXA 1090-AM (Spanish)

2000 SEASON SERIES:	Tied 0-0

ALL-TIME SERIES:	Colorado Leads 8-3 

RAPIDS LOOK TO RE-ESTABLISH DOMINANCE OF CREW:

On Saturday night the Colorado Rapids will look to return to the form which brought them success against the Crew. Before the 1999 season, the Rapids won eight of nine games against the Crew, outscoring them 20-11 during that stretch. The 1999 season, however, saw the Crew sweep the season series (2-0) against the Rapids as they won for the first time at Mile High Stadium, 3-0, on July 4th and their first game against the Rapids at Crew Stadium, 2-1, on September 4th.

In 1996 and 1998 the Rapids swept the season series against the Crew (3-0 and 2-0 respectively) and in 1997 (3-1) the Rapids' only loss came in a shoot-out at Ohio Stadium.

RAPIDS LOOK FOR FIRST WIN EVER AT CREW STADIUM:

The Rapids go into Saturday's matchup against the Columbus Crew looking for their first win at Crew Stadium after losing there twice in 1999. The Rapids suffered a tough, 2-1 loss to the Crew (9/4) as well as a 2-0 loss in the US Open Cup Championship Game (9/14) against the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the A-League.

CREW, SANS JOHN, LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO SCORE AGAINST THE RAPIDS:

The Columbus Crew, without the services of Stern John who last year signed with Nottingham Forest of the English First Division, will have to look for another way to beat the Rapids on Saturday. John was the most prolific goal-scorer against the Rapids, scoring six (of Columbus' eight goals) in only four games over the course of the '98 and '99 seasons.

BRAVO TO RETURN AFTER MISSING LAST THREE GAMES DUE TO INJURY:

Rapids midfielder Paul Bravo returns to action after missing the last three games due to a strained right MCL. The Rapids have gone 1-2 without Bravo in the starting lineup.

ANDERSON TRADED TO TAMPA BAY MUTINY FOR A PAIR OF DRAFT PICKS:

Clearing a roster spot for a new acquisition, the Colorado Rapids Wednesday traded midfielder Kevin Anderson to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for a 2001 third-round draft pick and a 2002 second-round draft pick.

RAPIDS SIGN MATTHEW OKOH FROM UNTERHACHING OF THE GERMAN BUNDESLIGA:

The Colorado Rapids Thursday announced the acquisition of forward Matthew Okoh. Okoh, who starred at the University of Denver before going on to a career which included a spell in the German Bundesliga, joins the Rapids as a discovery option.

Okoh, 27, comes to the Rapids from Unterhaching of the German Bundesliga (First Division). A 6'2" striker, he fills the roster spot made available yesterday by the trade of Kevin Anderson to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks.

Okoh becomes the fourth Rapids player to come out of Denver, joining Seth Trembly (Littleton, Arapahoe High School), Chris Martinez (Denver, Ponderosa High School) and Wes Hart (Littleton, Columbine High School). "His Bundesliga experience, along with his physical presence, adds one more attacking weapon to what already looks to be a dangerous attack," said Rapids coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick. "I am excited about Matt, and he is another step in our continuing effort to provide our fans with an exciting team and a team that hopefully will score a lot of goals."

INJURED DIGIAMARINO SENT HOME FROM OLYMPIC TEAM:

Rapids midfielder Joey DiGiamarino was sent home from the U.S. Olympic Team's training camp this week after re-aggravating a groin injury that has troubled him much of the season. As a result of the injury, DiGiamarino will not take part as the U.S. side participates in the CONCACAF region's qualifying tournament for the 2000 Olympics. DiGiamarino is expected to miss this Saturday's Rapids game with the injury, but could be fit for the April 29 match against Kansas City at Mile High Stadium. Goalkeeper Adin Brown remains with the Olympic Team through the April 29 match.

MIDFIELDER JASON BENT TO MISS NEXT TWO GAMES WITH CANADIAN OLYMPIC TEAM

Midfielder Jason Bent will also miss the next two matches for the Rapids as he joins the Canadian Olympic Team, which will also attempt to qualify out of the same group as the United States.

RAPIDS CALL UP DANNY DEVALL FROM TENNESSEE RHYTHM OF THE A-LEAGUE:

The Colorado Rapids Friday called up midfielder Danny DeVall from the Tennessee Rhythm of the A-League. The call-up was made following the trade of Kevin Anderson to the Tampa Bay Mutiny and questions as to whether recently acquired forward Matthew Okoh will be eligible to play Saturday.

COLORADO RAPIDS INJURY UPDATE:

Ross Paule 	(left knee strain)	Out -- IR
Wes Hart 	(right knee tendinitis)	Out - IR
Henry Zambrano	(left hamstring strain)	Questionable
Paul Bravo	(sprained right MCL)	Probable

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