LAST-MINUTE GOAL RUNS RAPIDS' PRE-SEASON RECORD TO 4-1

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO (Tuesday, February 17, 1998) - The Colorado Rapids edged Tepatio of Mexico 3-2 on Tuesday in Guadalajara on a last-minute goal when defender Tayt Ianni knocked in a rebound off of a Wolde Harris header. The game, which pushed Colorado's pre-season record to 4-1, was the first of five the Rapids will play in Mexico over the next ten days.

The Rapids, coming off a disappointing performance in a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday in Orlando, took control of Tuesday's affair with two goals in the first nine minutes, before giving up a pair midway through the first half, setting up Ianni's late-game heroics.

Colorado opened the scoring just four minutes in when second-round draft choice Jason Boyce found Ross Paule streaking down the middle of the field. Paule, at full stride, dribbled by a defender before hitting the net with a low, hard blast to put the Rapids up 1-0.

Colorado continued to press and was rewarded just four minutes later when a Julio Cengarle (Rapids' second 1998 supplemental pick) shot from outside the penalty box deflected off of forward Steve Rammel and into the net for a 2-0 lead.

With Rapids' captain Steve Trittschuh back in Denver following the birth of his first child (see note below) and Marcelo Balboa with the U.S. National Team, Colorado used a defense that had not played together before, and paid the price twice before half-time. Once in the 22nd minute and again ten minutes later, the Rapids tried to pull up and catch Tapatio forwards offside, but both times did not execute well, and were scored upon on both occasions to level the score at 2-2.

After half-time, the Rapids controlled most of the second half, but were unable to get the go-ahead goal. Wolde Harris, who came off the bench in the second half, threatened twice but could not finish, and Rapids' first-round draft pick Tyrone Marshall had a great shot deflected over the crossbar by a diving goalkeeper with ten minutes left.

As time was about to run out, Colorado won a corner kick and hurried to set up a final attack. The corner came across and Wolde Harris leapt over everyone and fired a powerful header that the keeper dove and saved, but Tayt Ianni was on the doorstep to knock in the rebound from a sharp angle and give the Rapids their fourth win in five pre-season tries.

RAPIDS LINE-UP: Paul Grafer, Peter Vermes, Tahj Jakins (Chris Martinez 46), Sean Henderson, Tayt Ianni, Ross Paule (Andre Nunely 46), Julio Cengarle, Adrian Paz (Tyrone Marshall 46), Joey DiGiamarino (Paul Bravo 46), Steve Rammel (Wolde Harris 46), Jason Boyce.

4th minute:  	Ross Paule (Jason Boyce, Tahj Jakins)
9th min.:    	Steve Rammel (Julio Cengarle)
90th min.:	Tayt Ianni (Wolde Harris)

TRITTSCHUH BECOMES A FATHER: Rapids captain Steve Trittschuh and wife Suzanne gave birth to their first child Sunday night in Denver: 8 lb., 5 oz., Aspen Taylor. Trittschuh did not play in Tuesday's game while home with his new daughter, but plans on rejoining the team in Mexico in the next few days.

BALBOA ALSO WAITING FOR THE CALL: Marcelo Balboa's wife, Cindi, is also expecting the couple's first child this week.

BALBOA AND HENDERSON REMAIN WITH USA: Balboa and Chris Henderson will not be with the team in Mexico, as the duo remains with the U.S. National Team. Up next for the USA is a date with Holland in Miami on February 21, and the team will then depart for Europe, where they will play at Belgium on February 25.

"I was extremely happy with the quick start, but giving up a lead like that in the first half is something we simply have to get out of our system now."

"Both goals they scored could have been prevented, I know it's the pre-season, but a simple communication break-down cost us twice today. I'm not so much concerned with wins and losses, but with how we play, and that was disappointing."

"On the last goal, Wolde did a great job getting above the defense to put the ball in a dangerous position, and Ianni was at a tough angle, so give him credit for a great finish."