FOURTH OF JULY SET TO EXPLODE AT MILE HIGH STADIUM

The Colorado Rapids will host the MetroStars on Saturday night, July 4, at 7:00 p.m. at Mile High.

The game will be preceded by a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. Broncos punter Tom Rouen will be on hand to kick out the ceremonial first ball.

Following the game, the festivities continue with a performance by a 150-person drum and bugle corps. A giant American flag that will cover the entire field will then be unfurled, followed by Colorado's biggest and best fireworks display.

Colorado (7-9, 17 points)
MetroStars (9-7, 25 points)

KKFN 950-AM "The Fan" (English)
KMXA 1090-AM (Spanish)

The Colorado Rapids are hoping to set a new club record for single-game attendance on Saturday night. The previous record of 36,252 was set on July 4, 1997, a 3-1 win over the San Jose Clash.

Midfielder Ross Paule was named Major league Soccer's Player of the Month for June, marking the first time a Rapids player has ever received the award. The outstanding performance, scoring three goals in three games, demonstrates the development of Paule into a playmaker. After scoring only twice in 1997, Paule's found his scoring touch this season, recording six goals and three assists for 15 points to rank 20th in the MLS scoring race. During the Rapids' last four league matches, Paule has scored the first goal (by either team) in each game. The Rapids have won two of three games during June, defeating the San Jose Clash, 2-0, two-time defending champion D.C. United, 2-1, and the lone loss coming against the league-leading L.A. Galaxy, 2-1.

Due to an unexpected family emergency Rapids' midfielder Waldir has returned home to Peru and will not be available for Saturday's match against the MetroStars. Wolde Harris will replace the Peruvian forward in the Rapids' line-up.

The Rapids set a new team record with their fourth straight home victory by defeating D.C. United, 3-1, last Thursday at Mile High. The previous record was three consecutive home wins, a feat accomplished twice (6/30/96-7/7/96 and 4/23/97-5/17/97). The Rapids upped their home record to 6-2, but remain 1-7 away from Mile High.

Fittingly on Independence Day, patriotic fans will enjoy the Rapids-MetroStars match-up which will feature seven Americans with a combined 13 World Cups between them. Balboa leads the Rapids with three ('90, '94, '98), followed by Chris Henderson ('90), Steve Trittschuh ('90) and Peter Vermes ('90). Tab Ramos leads the MetroStars with three ('90, '94, '98), followed by two each for Tony Meola ('90, '94) and Alexi Lalas ('94, '98).