RAPIDS RUN PRE-SEASON RECORD TO 7-2-1 WITH 2-1 VICTORY OVER NASHVILLE METROS

PENSACOLA (Monday, March 9, 1998) - The Colorado Rapids defeated the A-League Nashville Metros 2-1 on Monday morning in exhibition play in Pensacola, Fla. The game was played Monday after torrential rains (a reported eight inches in Pensacola) originally postponed the game on Saturday, and then again on Sunday.

Despite the score line, the Rapids dominated the game, and Wolde Harris recorded one goal and assisted on Chris Henderson's strike as Colorado ran its pre-season record to 7-2-1. The result would have been much more lopsided if not for the stellar play of Nashville goalkeeper Randy Dedini, who single-handedly kept the A-League club in the match.

Henderson opened the scoring 20 minutes in after an Adrian Paz cross from the right flank found Wolde Harris in the penalty box. Harris fired a header that hit the crossbar, and Henderson was there to finish off the rebound to give the Rapids the lead.

Despite the Rapids' domination in both chances and possession, a defensive lapse by Colorado resulted in the Metros equalizing one minute before half-time. Nashville took a quick throw-in in the Rapids' end of the field, and Metros forward Kevin Quigley was able to beat two defenders and then shoot past Rapids goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to level the score at 1-1 going into the break.

Colorado quickly regained the lead just seven minutes into the second half on a play similar to the first goal. Again it was Paz doing the work down the right flank before crossing the ball into the penalty box. And again it was Harris and Henderson on the receiving end, but this time their roles reversed, as it was Henderson who headed the ball back for Wolde Harris to crack a volley out of the air and into the net for a 2-1 lead.

The Rapids had most of the ball for the rest of the match, stringing together numerous passes on many occasions and looking the part of the MLS Western Conference champions playing an A-League side. But Metros keeper Dedini did not look the part of an A-League player, his play keeping Colorado from expanding the lead and the result finished an unrepresentative 2-1.

RAPIDS LINE-UP: Marcus Hahnemann, Chris Martinez, Steve Trittschuh, Peter Vermes, Sean Henderson (Joey DiGiamarino 65), Adrian Paz (Tyrone Marshall 70), Marcelo Balboa, Ross Paule, Chris Henderson (Jason Boyce 85), Paul Bravo, Wolde Harris (Marquis White 71).

RAPIDS COACH GLENN "MOOCH" MYERNICK:
"This was without a doubt the best ninety minutes we've played this pre-season. If their keeper hadn't have had an absolute blinder of a game, this game would've been broken wide open."

"The way we were able to string passes together and attack in so many different ways -- slow build-ups, quick counter-attacks, down both flanks - really showed we are playing very well heading into the season."

BALBOA AND HENDERSON -- ONE AND DONE: Marcelo Balboa and Chris Henderson appeared in their first pre-season games with Colorado. The duo had been with the U.S. National Team during the first nine contests. Immediately after Monday's match, both caught a flight to San Diego to rejoin the U.S. team in preparation for this Saturday's exhibition match against Paraguay.

BALBOA MILESTONE: Marcelo Balboa is poised to become the world's third all-time cap leader when the U.S. National Team takes on Paraguay on Saturday. Balboa is currently tied with ageless former England international goalkeeper Peter Shilton with 125 caps. The former San Diego State University star trails only Majed Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (147) and Thomas Ravelli of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Sweden (143) on the world's all-time listing.

MARQUINHO DUE THURSDAY: After a work visa delay that caused him to miss Monday's game, as well as the press conference announcing his signing, Brazilian midfielder Marquinho is set to join the Rapids in Florida on Thursday.