RAPIDS ACQUIRE TOP-LEVEL AMERICAN GOALKEEPER

DENVER (Monday, February 10, 1997) -- Marcus Hahnemann, one of the United States, top young goalkeepers, was allocated today to the Colorado Rapids, the latest in an ongoing Series of moves designed to bolster the Major League Soccer team's chances for MLS Cup '97.

Hahnemann, 24, who led the Seattle Sounders to the last two A-League charnpionships, joins a rapidly improving Colorado squad that has picked tip several key players in the past month and is preparing to welcome another star later this week.

"Marcus has established himself as one of the top young American goalkeepers," said Rapids Head Coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick. "He is a veteran of the U.S. National Team goalkeeper pool, possesses great quickness for a man of his stature (at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and he is a proven winner. Being a winner is an important ingredient as we look to make huge strides this season."

Hahnemann's international experience includes four starts with the U.S. National Team, making his debut on November 19, 1994, against Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. National Team Head Coach Steve Sampson still lists Hahnemann as one of his select U.S. National "B" Team goalkeeper possibilities.

A proven goalkeeper in the A-League, Hahnemann had several tryouts with English First and Second Division teams over the last few years, before finally coming to terms with Major League Soccer.

"I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to step up to the next level in my home country," said Hahnemann, whose parents came to the United States from Germany 20 years ago. "MLS has clearly established itself as a premier professional soccer league and I am happy to be a part of its ongoing success right here in Denver."

Were it not for a career-high season from Montreal's Paolo Ceccarelli, Hahnemann would have been headed for three straight seasons as the A-League's top-rated goalkeeper, with an impressive goals-against average of 0.91. Just inched out for the lead spot by his counterpart in Montreal, Hahnemann started all 27 games of the 1996 season, posting 11 shutouts and 119 saves, en route to the team's second A-League title.

The Bellevue, Wash., native finished the 1995 season as the A-League's top-rated goalkeeper for the second straight year. He led the league in minutes played (2160), shutouts (9), fewest goals allowed (24) and goals against average (1.00). These impressive statistics earned him the 1995 Red Dog/A-League Championship MVP.

The only rookie to be named to the first team of the 1994 A-League All-Stars, Hahnemann finished the 1994 season as the nurnber-one ranked goalkeeper in the A-League, having posted eight shutouts and 66 saves.

Hahnemann's record-setting career dates back to his days at Seattle Pacific University, as the school's only three-time All-American. He helped the Falcons capture the 1993 Division II Championship and was named Defensive MVP of the 1993 Final Four. The three-time all-West and all-conference pick holds school records for consecutive scoreless minutes (944), consecutive shutouts (10) and career shutouts (46). Hahnemann was rated among the nation's top 10 in shutouts and goals-against average in each of his four seasons at Seattle Pacific.