RAPIDS RUN PRE-SEASON RECORD TO 8-2-1 WITH 2-0 VICTORY OVER PENSACOLA BARRACUDAS

PENSACOLA (Tuesday, March 10, 1998) - The Colorado Rapids defeated the USISL Pensacola Barracudas 2-0 on Tuesday night in a pre-season exhibition match in Pensacola, Fla. The Rapids got goals from Tahj Jakins and Steve Trittschuh just one minute apart to run their pre-season record to 8-2-1.

The goal for the Rapids captain was his third of the pre-season, tying him with Wolde Harris for the team lead in that category.

Playing for the second day in a row, the Rapids controlled most of the game, but were not able to open the scoring until the 72nd minute. This despite Harris coming close on three separate opportunities in the first half.

But with the scoreboard still showing all zeroes and just eighteen minutes remaining, Joey DiGiamarino crossed a ball into the penalty box, and the 6'2" Jakins soared over the defense and lofted a header over the Pensacola goalkeeper and into the far upper corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Immediately after the ensuing kickoff, the Rapids dispossessed the Barracudas and eventually won a corner kick. Ross Paule swung the corner into the penalty area, and Trittschuh came from the top of the penalty box and blasted a header into the net for a 2-0 lead and the insurance that the Rapids would win their eight game in eleven pre-season tries.

RAPIDS LINE-UP: Paul Grafer, Chris Martinez, Steve Trittschuh, Peter Vermes, Sean Henderson (Andre Nunely 75), Adrian Paz (Tyrone Marshall 55), Tahj Jakins, Ross Paule, Joey DiGiamarino, Paul Bravo (Jason Boyce 65), Wolde Harris (Marquis White 46).

RAPIDS COACH GLENN "MOOCH" MYERNICK:

"We played very well again tonight, especially after playing yesterday, it's always tough to go back-to-back. But we moved the ball around very well and did what we needed to do to get the result."

"I'm very pleased that we scored twice on headers tonight. We have the size to finish and the talent on the wings to give them good service. Tahj's goal was a nicely placed flick, while Trittschuh absolutely killed that ball and fired it home with authority."

BALBOA AND HENDERSON -- ONE AND DONE: Marcelo Balboa and Chris Henderson did not play Tuesday, as 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 and Tuesday's game, as well as the press conference announcing his signing, Brazilian midfielder Marquinho is set to join the Rapids in Florida on Thursday.