THREE DENVER POWER SOCCER ACADEMY STARS TRAINING WITH THE COLORADO RAPIDS

DENVER (Thursday, January 22, 1998) - Three players from the local Denver Power Soccer Academy (DPSA) are training with the Colorado Rapids as a result of a partnership between the two organizations. Henry Brandes, Victor Hernandez and Gabriel Godoy have been training with the team for the past three weeks.

The DPSA has a goal of developing and promoting future role models within the young Latino sports community. DPSA director Edgar Campos said a partnership with the Rapids is another way to present role models and opportunities to children.

"The Rapids are very important to the Latino population which has been looking for a team like this for years. Our three players going to the Rapids shows kids there are opportunities on the field, but more importantly, the Rapids are also giving children role models off the field," Campos said.

Brandes (Peru), Godoy (Mexico) and Hernandez (Mexico) have all honed their skills south of the border before returning to Denver. Brandes, who can play forward and defense, was brought up under the system of Universitario de Deportes, one of Peru's top teams. Godoy, a defender, came to Denver from his native Mexico in 1980 and has been in the area ever since. Hernandez, a midfielder and forward, was born in California and spent time with Chivas of Guadalajara, one of Mexico's top clubs.

Besides concentrating on furthering themselves as players, all three devote much of their free time to coaching soccer in the inner city. Campos said that all three have donated "thousands" of hours to coaching voluntarily.

"Our responsibility as leaders in the Latino soccer community is to continue to present role models and opportunities. With the Rapids, we can continue to impact children in their lives outside of soccer, which is what we are really after," he said.

The players were "discovered" by Rapids assistant coach Rene Miramontes while he was coaching at a clinic last November. Miramontes also emphasized the importance of a partnership that extends beyond sending a couple players to try out with the club.

"The long-term goal of the partnership goes beyond soccer. We are trying to continue to build a true relationship between the Rapids and the Latino community. We want the Rapids to be their team," he said.