RAPIDS BLAST SUNDOGS 8-0 TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN PRESEASON

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Forward Shaun Bartlett scored a second-half hat trick to lead the Colorado Rapids to an 8-0 victory over the Orlando Sundogs Wednesday night, as colorado opened Major League Soccer preseason camp in Orlando after going undefeated in two weeks of training in Mexico.

Uruguayan star Adrian Paz also played impressively in the second half, collecting two goals against the overmatched Sundogs of the USISL.

"I thought we should have had five or six goals in the first half, but once we got the first once we settled down and took charge of the match," said Rapids head coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick.

The Rapids' starting 11 represented a cast of mostly new faces, inlcuding Paul Bravo at forward, Rafael Amaya at offensive midfield, Creighton rookie Ross Paule in central midfield, and on the back line, Mike Britton and top college draft pick Tahj Jakins.

Fleet-footed midfielder Chris Henderson sparked the Rapids in the first half, playing a role in all three goals. After collecting a cross from Scott Benedetti, Henderson turned and banged a 10-yard blinder to the far post in the 27th minute.

In the 40th minute, Henderson's corner kick found defender Brian Bates, who right-footed a close-in shot past the Orlando goalkeeper.

Colorado closed out the first-half scoring in the 44th minute, when Hnderson centered to Paule, who one-touched a shot into the net.

South African star striker Bartlett, who substituted for Bravo at halftime, didn't waste any time finding the net. He scored in the 52nd, 65th, and 67th minutes, the last on a penalty kick after Paz was taken down in the box by the Sundog goalkeeper.

Paz closed out the scoring in the 87th minute, blasting a 10-yarder after a cross from Jamaican national Wolde Harris.

Rapids goalkeeper Dusty Hudock go the clean sheet with five saves, including three spectacular one-on-one breakaway stuffs in the first half.

The Rapids continue their week-long Florida training camp on Saturday when they play the MLS's New England Revolution in Orlando. Colorado plays the Tampa Bay Mutiny on Sunday and MLS-champion D.C. United on Monday.

The Rapids posted a 1-0-2 record during their first two weeks of spring training, against professional teams in Guadalajara, Mexico.

GAME SUMMARY

            1   2   F
Colorado    3   5   8
Orlando     0   0   0

CO -- C. Henderson (27)
CO -- Bates (40)
CO -- Paule (44)
CO -- Bartlett (52)
CO -- Paz (60)
CO -- Bartlett (65)
CO -- Bartlett (67)(penalty kick)
CO -- Paz (87)

Colorado Lineup:

Hudock, Britton, Bates, Jakins, S. Henderson, Benedetti(Paz), 
Amaya(Tote), C. Henderson, Bravo(Bartlett), Wegerle(Harris).