COLORADO RAPIDS TO FACE MEXICAN TEAM LEON IN CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP TOURNAMENT

DENVER (Wednesday, April 22, 1998) - The Colorado Rapids have been paired against Mexican First Division club Leon in the qualifying round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament. The prestigious event features the top clubs in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The Rapids, along with MLS Cup '97 champions D.C. United, qualified for the tournament based on reaching the MLS championship game in 1997.

The date and venue for the fixture between the Rapids and Leon has yet to be determined. The winner of the fixture will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament, and will face the top qualifier from Central America at Washington, D.C.'s R.F.K. Stadium on Tuesday, August 11.

D.C. United, by way of winning the MLS championship in 1997, automatically qualifies for the quarterfinals, and will face the Caribbean representative, which is yet to be determined.

WHO'S IN (3): Already qualified for the quarterfinals are D.C. United and Mexican Club Cruz Azul, which won the tournament last year. Joining those two clubs will be the winner of the Mexican League playoffs, which are currently taking place.

THE QUALIFIERS (5): One quarterfinal spot will got to the winner of the Rapids/Leon fixture, both of whom were runners up in their respective countries last season. Out of qualifying stages also about to take place, three Central American teams and one Caribbean team will advance to the quarterfinal round.

BALBOA PLAYED FOR LEON: Colorado Rapids defender/midfielder Marcelo Balboa knows the Rapids' opponent well, as he spent two seasons playing for the Mexican club before joining the Rapids. Balboa joined a struggling Leon team in 1995 and kept them in the first division, and then led them to the playoffs the following season.

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP FINALS:
Sunday, August 16, 1998

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP THIRD-PLACE MATCH:
Sunday, August 16, 1998