RAPIDS GAIN GROUND IN PLAYOFF POSITIONING WITH 2-1 WIN OVER WIZARDS IN FRONT OF 19,270 AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM

KANSAS CITY - The Colorado Rapids made a strong push for home field advantage in the 2002 MLS Cup playoff race with a solid 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards tonight at Arrowhead Stadium. Striker John Spencer notched the game-winner for the Rapids in the 49th minute, leading Colorado to just its 4th road win of the season.

The Rapids opened the match with the first scoring opportunity in the 4th minute as midfielder Mark Chung found Carrieri streaking up the left flank. Carrieri, spotting a man in the far box, sent a low ball in front of Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola that was eventually cleared away from danger by the Kansas City defense at the far post.

The Wizards charged back with an offensive threat of their own in the 8th minute after a dribbling display by midfielder Preki. The recipient of a nice ball near the penalty spot, forward Dario Fabbro collected and quickly fired a ball just over the goal.

Kansas City threatened again in the 20th after another penetrating run by Preki. Forward Igor Simutenkov received a ball near the end line before sending a hard centering pass right through the six-yard box that, fortunately for Colorado, found nobody open.

The Rapids finally got on the board in 35th minute after a rocket by midfielder Mark Chung led to a corner kick for the visitors. On the ensuing play, midfielder Zach Kingsley was able to beat his man to the top of the six-yard box and slam a diving header past Meola for the 1-0 lead.

Kansas City lit up the board just four minutes later on a penalty kick by Preki. The home team was awarded the opportunity after a skirmish in the box found Simutenkov on his back in the box. The clubs headed to the locker room shortly thereafter, with the score knotted at 1-1.

Colorado came out of the locker room with a bang, taking the early 2-1 lead in the 49th minute on a blast by second-half substitute John Spencer. Midfielder Chris Henderson played a short pass to Valderrama who in turn sent a quick ball to Spencer just inside the box. Beating his defender with a quick touch to his right, the Scottish striker ripped a low shot to the far post, leaving Meola with no chance.

The goal had special significance for Colorado, as the helper for Valderrama marked a new-single-season franchise assist record of 15, marking the sixth time in seven seasons the Colombian has posted double-digit assists. Also getting credit for the assist was Henderson, who, with the point, established a new personal single-season career high for points, improving to 29. The tally by Spencer was his first since May, preceding a surgery that has limited the striker's playing time all summer.

In desperate search of postseason life, the Wizards repeatedly pressured the Colorado defense, but failed to make good on a handful of chances between the 60-70th minutes of play, hitting the post and missing on several other shots around the box. Preki continued to lead the offense, often working the seams of the Rapids' back line, but to no avail.

As the match progressed into the final 15 minutes, the Rapids took it to the home team, never settling into a defensive formation, and held strong after a couple of substitutions. Four minutes of stoppage time was not enough for the Wizards as Colorado preserved, earning three points and the 2-1 victory.

The Rapids (13-11-3, 42 points) leapfrog Dallas in the battle for playoff positioning, moving into fourth place overall and third in the Western Conference. Colorado returns to action next Friday, September 20 on Ball Night for their regular-season finale, rounding out the home-and-home series with the Wizards before playoffs begin on September 25.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2002-- KANSAS CITY 1, COLORADO RAPIDS 2 

                   			1     2     F
COLORADO RAPIDS        	1     1     2
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS    	1     0     1

Scoring Summary:
COL--Kingsley (Chung) 35
KC--Preki (pk) 39
COL--Spencer (Valderrama, Henderson) 49

COLORADO RAPIDS-David Kramer, Rick Titus, Robin Fraser, Steve Herdsman (Jeff
Stewart 78), Wes Hart (John Spencer 45), Pablo Mastroeni, Zach Kingsley,
Carlos Valderrama, Mark Chung, Chris Carrieri (Ritchie Kotschau 83), Chris
Henderson
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Chung 8); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Kingsley, Chung 2); FOULS: 16
(Chung 4); OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: Kramer 3; CAUTIONS: Henderson
7; 
EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 52%

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS-Tony Meola, Carey Talley, Peter Vermes, Nick Garcia,
Chris Klein, Kerry Zavagnin, Diego Gutierrez, Stephen Armstrong (Eric Quill
58), Preki, Igor Simutenkov (Chris Brown 67), Dario Fabbro
TOTAL SHOTS: 23 (Preki 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Preki 2); FOULS: 9 (Gutierrez
4); OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: Meola 6; CAUTIONS: Gutierrez 14;
EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 48%

Referee: Alex Prus; Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry, Jose Andrade,
Joe Heyden
Attendance: 19,270; Weather: Overcast, Cool, Wet, 70 degrees. 

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