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reprint of COLORADO RAPIDS NEWS RELEASE -- byline Ben Grossman
NEWS RELEASE
MLS WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS LAST WEEK'S RESULTS: W L SOW PTS Los Angeles 13 2 1 37 6/18 Galaxy 2 RAPIDS 1 Chicago 10 5 1 28 Rapids Goal: Paule (5) Dallas 8 6 3 18 San Jose 5 10 0 15 Kansas City 6 8 2 14 Colorado 6 9 2 14
Thursday, 6/25 D.C. United Mile High Stadium TV: ESPN2 Radio: KKFN, KMXA Sunday, 6/28 Leon (CONCACAF Champions Cup) Mile High Stadium Radio: KMXA
Colorado faces a very important week, beginning with hosting the MLS Cup '97 rematch against D.C. United at Mile High Stadium. United knocked off the Rapids, 2-1, last October to end the Rapids' memorable playoff run. The teams met earlier this year on 4/11 at RFK, with the Rapids pulling off a two-goal comeback late before succumbing to the two-time champions in a shootout, 4-3.
The Rapids and MLS will be able to test themselves on the international stage as Colorado hosts the first leg of a home-and-home fixture against Leon of the Mexican First Division in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Sunday at Mile High Stadium at 6:00 p.m. MST. Colorado qualified for the tournament, which features the top club teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, by virtue of its appearance in MLS Cup '97. The match will mark the first time the Rapids have participated in an international tournament. The return leg in Leon is set for July 15.
With the U.S. eliminated from advancing in the World Cup and playing its last game on Thursday against Yugoslavia in France, the Rapids are hoping to have back the services of Marcelo Balboa for the important CONCACAF Champions Cup tie (game) on Sunday. Balboa would have added motivation if he does make it back, as he was with Leon before joining Colorado and MLS prior to the 1996 season.
After his first-half goal against the Galaxy Thursday night at the Rose Bowl, midfielder Ross Paule has now scored four goals in his last three games, doubling his entire 1997 output (two goals). The Rapids record for most consecutive games with a goal by one player is five (Jean Harbor: 5/25/96-6/15/96).
Against teams that carry a .500 record or better at the time, Colorado is 0-6 this season, but is 6-3 against teams that are under the .500 mark. United enters Thursday's game 13-4.
The upcoming three-game home stretch is appetizing for the Rapids, as with the loss at the Rose Bowl Thursday, Colorado's road record fell to 1-7 on the road, but remains 5-2 at Mile High Stadium.
After scoring five goals over the first eight games of the season, forward Waldir has not found the net in the Rapids' last seven outings, one of which he did not play in. The Peruvian striker has now taken 15 shots without scoring since his last goal, which came in the closing minute of the 7-4 loss to Los Angeles back on May 6.
Thursday was the first time goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has suffered a loss since returning to the starting lineup. Over those four games, he is still 3-1 with 3 goals against (0.75 GAA), one of which was a penalty shot, and two shutouts.
Rapids captain Steve Trittschuh returns to the lineup Thursday after missing the Galaxy game due to yellow card accumulation. With Trittschuh out in L.A., Paul Bravo is now the only Rapids player to have started all 15 games this season.
No injuries to report.
M 6/22 Off T 6/23 Training Westminster 10:00 a.m. W 6/24 Training Mile High Stadium 10:00 a.m. R 6/25 RAPIDS VS. D.C. UNITED MILE HIGH STADIUM 7:00 p.m. F 6/26 Training Westminster 10:00 a.m. S 6/27 Off S 6/28 RAPIDS VS LEON MILE HIGH STADIUM 6:00p.m.