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reprint of COLORADO RAPIDS NEWS RELEASE -- byline Andy Engel
NEWS RELEASE
After a disappointing loss at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on Saturday night, the Rapids head back to INVESCO Field this Saturday for the fourth and final regular-season meeting with the San Jose Earthquakes. The Rapids have posted a 1-2 mark against the Earthquakes this season, christening INVESCO Field for MLS action on March 30 in a 1-0 victory over the defending champions and then losing both matches at Spartan Stadium where San Jose have been a perfect 10-0-1 this season. Colorado will look to even the season series on Aug. 24 for the first time since 2000, when each team was victorious at home and on the road. Currently at 33 points, Colorado stands six points shy of the league leaders with five games remaining on the regular season schedule. The Earthquakes lead the all-time series 14-12-1 and have registered a mark of 6-7-1 in Colorado since league inception in 1996. The game will be a part of MLS Soccer Saturday with the match being broadcast live on ESPN 2 at 2 p.m. MT.
Lunchbox Giveaway, Post-Game Concert Saturday versus Earthquakes The Rapids will present the first-ever lunchbox giveaway prior to Saturday's home game (8/24) against the San Jose Earthquakes. The first 6,000 kids (age 16 and under) through the stadium gates will receive the free commemorative tin lunchbox, which will be the first in a series of lunchboxes with a new design coming out each year. Following the game there will be a post-game concert put on by local music icon Nina Storey. Storey's concert is in correlation with "Event to Prevent" * a program designed to bring awareness to domestic violence.
On Saturday, August 24, the Colorado Rapids and the Denver Domestic Violence Task Force are hosting the "Event to Prevent- Domestic Violence is Not a Game," in conjunction with Saturday's ESPN 2 match-up with the San Jose Earthquakes at INVESCO Field at 2 p.m. Throughout the day, the Denver Domestic Violence Task Force will be available to fans at tables around the stadium where it will provide educational material about domestic violence, its effect on children and community resources available to victims. Following the game, the wives of the Rapids and the Denver Broncos will play an exhibition soccer game, with the teams' respective mascots playing in the nets as goalkeepers. The Broncos cheerleaders will provide entertainment after the game and celebrity athletes including former Denver Broncos will be available to sign autographs.
The Colorado Rapids will host approximately 600 Boy Scouts for a campout after Saturday's game against the San Jose Earthquakes. The sleepover will be held on the Club Level of INVESCO Field and begins immediately following the conclusion of the game. Each Scout has purchased a ticket for $12, which includes a ticket to the Earthquakes match, a reserved spot for the campout, breakfast from McDonalds the next morning, and camping goodies from Galyan's. After the scouts enjoy some Major League Soccer action, they will be able to get settled into the cozy confines of INVESCO Field as registration begins immediately after the conclusion of the game. Campout entertainment includes a full-sized movie screen that will display the movie Shrek. Tickets are still available to any Boy Scouts for $12. For more information, call Kina at 303.299.1581.
The Colorado Rapids will make their mark on the world-wide web this week, going live with a new-look website to carry them through the remainder of the 2002 season and into 2003. After forging a partnership with Denver-based, cutting-edge design group SpireMedia, the Rapids have spent the past several weeks working hard on making several improvements and updates in overall look, feel and content. Upon this week's live changeover on the world-wide web, the Rapids will continue to work hard to bring fans new and improved features * helping users to reach their maximum potential in keeping up with professional soccer both in Colorado and Major League Soccer action nationwide.
Third year Rapids 'keeper David Kramer found success this past Saturday where few goalies are ever successful, standing on his line with an opponent facing him from the penalty spot. Kramer saved an early first-half penalty kick attempted by Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos. Rapids midfielder Wes Hart made slight contact with Ezra Hendrickson before grabbing his jersey in the box and that was enough for referee Jair Marrufo to award LA the opportunity for the usually automatic goal. Kramer guessed left and managed to get his hand on the low shot that Cienfuegos tried to place just inside the post. The last and only time a Rapids net minder saved a PK was on August 28, 1997 when Marcus Hahnemann denied Kansas City midfielder Preki at Arrowhead Stadium. Kramer is only the second Rapids 'keeper to accomplish such a feat.
The Rose Bowl has not been kind to the Rapids throughout the history of the franchise. With Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Galaxy, the Rapids all-time record in Pasadena is now 2-13-0. During the shutout, the Galaxy managed to hold the Rapids to zero shots on goal. The last time the Rapids posted no shots on goal was September 29, 1999, which ironically was also at the Rose Bowl against the Galaxy. The Rapids lost that game by the same final score of Saturday's match, 4-0.
The Rapids are set to host a one-of-a-kind party on Sunday, Sept. 1 at INVESCO Field in conjunction with the late season showdown against Conference foe, the Dallas Burn. The pre-game event, Fiesta de Dollar con Los Rapids will take place from 4-7 p.m. in the AT&T parking lot, located just to the East of the Stadium. Admittance is free with proof of a game ticket and will feature the live entertainment of three bands: Cabaret Diosa, Los Braveros de Pena and Manuel Molina and His Combo. The latin décor will also include two mechanical bulls and calf roping. With the purchase of a $1 taco from Illegal Pete's, patrons will receive a free beer courtesy of the Colorado Rapids and Budweiser.
In a continuing effort to bring Major League Soccer and the Colorado Rapids closer to local soccer clubs, the Rapids hosted a Field Development Seminar prior to the last home game at INVESCO Field * a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew. The Rapids invited numerous coaches from various local clubs to attend a seminar sharing ideas on how to create better soccer facilities in the state of Colorado through the application of grants and other means of fundraising. Local clubs in attendance included: Denver Soccer Club, Rush, Aurora Soccer Club, Centennial, St. Vrain Soccer Club and Douglas County Soccer Association. The event was highlighted by Phyliss Riedler (Director of Administration and Event Management) * who spoke on behalf of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) * and was attended by nearly 40 coaches. The Colorado Rapids were the first team in MLS to put on this seminar one year ago, leading to a 2002 league-mandated seminar that every team provide such an educational opportunity for its respective local community.
Injury Report: Scott Garlick - OUT - left thumb fracture
Training Schedule:
Tuesday, August 20 - Training at 10:00 a.m. Westminster Training
Facility
(Media Luncheon at 12 p.m.)
Wednesday, August 21 - Training at Westminster Training Facility 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 22 - Training at INVESCO Field at Mile High 10:00
a.m.
Friday, August 23 - Training at Westminster Training Facility
10:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 24 - Game vs. San Jose Earthquakes at INVESCO
Field
(MLS Soccer Saturday: Live broadcast on ESPN
2 at 2 p.m. MT)
LEAGUE STANDINGS - Monday, August 19, 2002
Western Conference
TEAM GP W L T PTS GF GA STREAKS LAST 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Earthquakes 22 12 7 3 39 36 22 Tied 1 5-4-1
Dallas Burn 22 10 5 7 37 34 29 Won 2 5-3-2
Los Angeles Galaxy 22 11 8 3 36 35 30 Won 1 6-3-1
Colorado Rapids 23 10 10 3 33 33 41 Lost 1 4-4-2
Kansas City Wizards 24 8 8 8 32 32 39 Lost 2 4-3-3
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS TABLE (Top 8 teams qualify)
SD TEAM GP W L T PTS GF GA
--------------------------------------------------------
1. *San Jose Earthquakes 22 12 7 3 39 36 22
2. *Chicago Fire 23 10 9 4 34 38 29
3. Dallas Burn 22 10 5 7 37 34 29
4. Los Angeles Galaxy 22 11 8 3 36 35 30
5. Columbus Crew 24 10 10 4 34 38 37
6. Colorado Rapids 23 10 10 3 33 33 41
7. Kansas City Wizards 24 8 8 8 32 32 39
8. MetroStars 22 9 11 2 29 36 37
D.C. United 22 6 11 5 23 21 29
N.E. Revolution 22 7 14 1 22 36 46
* = Conference leader
Notes: CHI holds 1st tiebreaker against CLB (2-0-0 in head-to-head
competition)
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