FOURTH OF JULY TO EXPLODE AT MILE HIGH STADIUM AS RAPIDS HOST CHICAGO FIRE FOLLOWED BY FIREWORKS

Red Hot Goalkeeper David Kramer Leads Rapids Into Tuesday Versus Fire;
Rapids Expecting Big Crowd For Annual Fireworks Game

WHAT:	The Colorado Rapids host the Chicago Fire on Tuesday night at 
     Mile High Stadium.  The game will be followed by the 
     Rapids' annual Independence Day fireworks show.  
RECORDS:	Colorado Rapids (8-9-2, 26 points)
		Chicago Fire  (9-7-3, 30 points)

RADIO:	KKFN 950-AM (English)
				KMXA 1090-AM (Spanish)

2000 SEASON SERIES:	Rapids Lead 1-0

ALL-TIME SERIES:	Fire Leads 5-4

RAPIDS EXPECTING BIG CROWD FOR ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY GAME:

The Colorado Rapids expect a big crowd on Tuesday night when they host the Chicago Fire in the annual Fourth of July game. The Rapids have repeatedly set team attendance records in the annual game, which is followed by a fireworks display. Half time of this year's game will also include a "Mascot All-Star Game," a soccer game featuring mascots from around the area. Following are the crowds and results for the annual game since the team's inception in 1996:

YEAR		OPPONENT		RESULT		ATTENDANCE
1999		Columbus Crew		Loss: 3-0		51,025
1998		NY/NJ MetroStars	Win: 1-0		46,722
1997		San Jose Clash		Win: 3-1		36,252
1996		NY/NJ MetroStars	Win: 2-1		20,117

DAVID KRAMER RED-HOT SINCE REPLACING ADIN BROWN IN GOAL:

Rapids goalkeeper David Kramer has been impressive in two starts since replacing the injured Adin Brown in goal. Kramer made three saves and recorded a shutout in a 1-0 win over Dallas in Denver last Wednesday, then made nine saves and surrendered just a single goal to preserve a 1-1 draw with D.C. United at R.F.K. Stadium.

MATTHEW OKOH FINDS SCORING TOUCH AFTER GAME-SAVER IN D.C.:

Colorado forward Matthew Okoh scored the game-tying goal with 30 seconds left to earn a 1-1 draw with D.C. United on Saturday. With the game-tying header, Okoh recorded his second goal in the last three games. The two goals were the first of Okoh's MLS career after joining Colorado this season.

LIMPAR PLAY-MAKING EARNING RESULTS FOR COLORADO:

Colorado midfielder Anders Limpar has set up the game-winning and game-tying goals in the last two games for the Rapids. His pass set up Scott Vermillion's header to beat Dallas on June 28, before his service set the table for Okoh's tying goal in the dying seconds of Saturday's draw in D.C. Limpar, who has three game-winning assists on the season, has recorded six assists overall in 2000 (12 games played), equaling his season-total for 1999 (in 18 games played).

RAPIDS LOOK TO CONTINUE RECENT HOME SUCCESS WITH TWO THIS WEEK:

After beginning the season 1-3 at home, the Rapids have enjoyed recent success at Mile High Stadium, going 3-1-1 in their last five games at home. The Rapids are 4-4-1 at home, 4-5-1 on the road in 2000. The Rapids host Chicago Tuesday and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

The two games this week mark the fifth time on the season that Colorado has had a mid-week game followed by a game that weekend. In the mid-week games prior to a weekend contest, Colorado is 4-0. But in the weekend games following the mid-week wins, the Rapids are just 0-3-1.

DIVISIONAL BREAKDOWN - A TALE OF TWO RECORDS FOR COLORADO IN 2000:

The Rapids host the Central Division Fire on Tuesday with a 7-5-2 record against teams from outside of the Western Division. But when San Jose visits Mile High Stadium for a Western Division contest on Saturday, Colorado will look to improve on a 1-4 mark against teams from its own bracket.

RAPIDS CALL-UP PRESTON BURPO OF THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOR NEXT TWO GAMES:

The Rapids today called up goalkeeper Preston Burpo from the Seattle Sounders of the A-League for Tuesday's match against the Chicago Fire and Saturday's match-up against the San Jose Earthquakes. Burpo currently has a record of 4-3-1 with the Sounders and a goals-against-average of 1.31.

INJURY REPORT:

Adin Brown 		right knee strain		Out
Seth Trembly		fractured left hand	Out
Jason Moore		left hamstring strain	Out
Henry Zambrano		left calf strain		Doubtful
Joey DiGiamarino		left calf strain		Questionable
Wes Hart		right knee strain		Questionable

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