DENVER (Tuesday, July 21, 1998) - Colorado Rapids midfielders Paul Bravo and Ross Paule today were named as reserves for the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, set for Sunday, August 2, 1998, at Orlando's Citrus Bowl as part of the league's All-Star events at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The 12:30 p.m. MST game will be nationally televised on ABC (KMGH-7).

Bravo and Paule join Rapids teammates Marcelo Balboa and Adrian Paz, who last week were named starters via the league's first-ever fan balloting. In a World Cup year, the MLS All-Star Game for the first time will assume a USA vs. the world format. Balboa, Bravo and Paule will represent the MLS USA All-Stars, while Uruguay native Paz will face his Rapids' mates as he plays for the MLS World All-Stars.

Paul Bravo, a 1996 All-Star with the San Jose Clash, leads the Rapids with 20 points on seven goals and three assists. His seven goals also ties him for the team lead in that category with Ross Paule. Bravo picked up Fujifilm MLS Player of the Week honors following a win over Chicago on April 25 in which he scored a goal and added two assists, before also scoring in the shootout.

Considered by most to be the Rapids' most valuable player this season, Bravo's contributions to the team have gone beyond statistics this season. A natural forward who is the only player ever to lead two separate teams in goals in two separate seasons (San Jose in 1996, Colorado in 1997), Bravo this season stepped back into midfield at the end of May and immediately helped the Rapids end a five-game losing skid and win six of their next seven games.

Rapids coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick said that Bravo's selection was well-deserved considering his contributions to the team from both the forward and midfield roles.

"In the short history of the league he has a wonderful goal-scoring record without playing a full season as a forward. This selection is a testament to his all-around ability and his versatile talents," said Myernick.

Bravo himself said that he was pleased to learn of the selection, but credited his teammates with his success.

"Most of my goals this season have come from great service from my teammates. I am pleased that I was selected, but I am more happy that the Rapids are sending four players, showing that we are getting the respect around the country that we deserve," Bravo said.

A spot-starter in his rookie season last year, Paule has quickly developed into one of the top young players in the league, as evidenced by his All-Star selection in his first season as a regular contributor. Paule, 22, currently is second behind Bravo in total points on the Rapids with 17, coming on seven goals and three assists. The seven goals ties him for the team lead with Bravo.

In June, the bleach-blond Paule became the first player in Colorado Rapids history to be named Major League Soccer Player of the Month, scoring three goals in three games and establishing himself as one of the top young stars in the league. On May 31, he set the Major League Soccer record for the fastest two goals by one player when he struck 67 seconds apart to lead the Rapids to a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards.

Myernick said that Paule's selection confirms the midfielder as one of the rising stars in Major League Soccer, even beyond Myernick's expectations.

"Ross Paule's progress as a first-team player in this league is certainly ahead of my projections, but hard work and a terrific appetite for the game can take you a long way. Ross Paule is a name that people probably will know for many years to come," said Myernick.

Like Bravo, Paule credited much of his development and success as an attacking midfielder to his teammates.

"Being surrounded by the players that I play with every day takes a lot of pressure off of me. With Paz and Chris Henderson on the wings, and Balboa and Bravo with me in the midfield, the defense has to respect those guys, and that leaves me with a lot of space to work. Those guys have given me a lot of chances to score, and I've been fortunate to have been able to finish what they have started so far this season," Paule said.

	GP	MIN	G	A	PTS	SHT	SOG	
1998	18	1586	7	6	20	57	25

Goals:	Tied for 11th in MLS.			
Points:	Tied for 15th in MLS.
Shots:	Tied for 5th in MLS.

* Captured MLS FujiFilm Player of the Week honors for Week 7 after scoring a goal, adding two assists, and then scoring the clinching goal in the shootout in a 5-4 shootout win over the Chicago Fire on April 25.

3/21 @ DAL: Started and played 90 minutes, scoring the Rapids' lone goal in regulation, as well as their only goal in the shootout.
3/28 @ S.J.: Started and played 90 minutes and had two assists. He also converted on a shootout.
4/11 @ DC: Started and played 90 minutes. Was taken down in the box to set up the equalizing penalty kick that sent the game into the shootout.
4/19 vs. TB: Started and played 90 minutes and scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute on a header set up by Chris Henderson and Marquinho.
4/25 vs. CHI: Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal and two assists, as well as a shootout goal, earning MLS Fujifilm Player of the Week honors.
5/6 @ L.A.: Started and played 90 minutes, provided the opening goal for the Rapids, tapping in a Wolde Harris header at the far post.
5/9 vs. S.J.: Started and played 90 minutes and scored his fourth goal in six games.
5/28 vs. MIA: Started and played 90 minutes. Recorded a goal in the 53rd minute.
6/25 vs. DC: Started and played 90 minutes. Recorded a goal in the 27th minute and an assist in the 20th minute on an Adrian Paz goal.

				
	GP	MIN	G	A	PTS	SHT	SOG	
1998	17	1438	7	3	17	25	15

Goals:	Tied for 11th in MLS.			
Points:	Tied for 18th in MLS.

* Named MLS Player of the Month for July, 1998. In three games in July, Paule scored three goals and cemented his reputation as one of the rising young stars in the league, taking over the attacking midfield role after the departure of Marquinho.

4/25 vs. CHI: Started and played 90 minutes. Paule scored his first goal of the season, unassisted, on a 25-yard rocket.
5/6 @ L.A.: Started and played 90 minutes. Had two assists in the game, one on the Wolde Harris goal, which was a rebound of Paule's shot, and the first Waldir goal.
5/31 vs. K.C.: Started and played 90 minutes. Scored the fastest back-to-back goals in MLS history, 67 seconds apart to give the Rapids all the goals they would need in a 2-1 win.
6/6 vs. S.J.: Started and played 90 minutes. Scored in the 50th minute on the Adrian Paz pass.
6/18 @ LA: Started and played 90 minutes. Scored in the 41st minute, his fourth goal in three games.
6/25 vs. DC: Started and played 90 minutes. Scored in the 2nd minute, his fourth consecutive game with a goal.
7/19 @ K.C..: Started and played 90 minutes and scored a highlight-film goal, blasting a half-volley in from outside the top of the box.

Head Coach:  Bruce Arena - D.C. United
Assistant Coach: Alfonso Mondelo -- MetroStars
Trainer: Rick Guter - D.C. United

	
Head Coach: Octavio Zambrano - Los Angeles Galaxy
Assistant Coach:  Bob Bradley - Chicago Fire
Trainer: Ivan Pierra - Los Angeles Galaxy

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