RAPIDS 2001 SEASON OPENER VS. MIAMI FUSION:

Colorado starts 2001 season on the road 

WHAT:	The Colorado Rapids face the Miami Fusion on Saturday, April 7 at
Lockhart Stadium.  Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. (MT).

RECORDS:	Colorado Rapids (0-0-0, 0 points)
		Miami Fusion  (0-0-0, 0 points)

TELEVISION:	KTVD, (UPN) Ch.20

		BACKHAUL (KU-Band)
		Galaxy 4R, Transponder K21 (H)

		DirecTV - Channel 
		DishNet - Channel 	

SATELLITE:	Satellite feed of highlights for Saturday, April 7, 2001
COORDINATES:	
		10:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. ET	Telstar 4, Transponder 10 (C-Band)

		1:15 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. ET	Telstar 6, Transponder 11 (C-Band)

RADIO:	KMXA 1090-AM (Spanish)

2001 SEASON SERIES:	Tied 0-0

ALL-TIME SERIES:	Miami Leads 5-3

RAPIDS TRY TO REVERSE SEASON OPENING TREND WITH AN OPENING ROAD WIN:

For the sixth season in a row the Colorado Rapids will open the season on the road and will be looking for a win. Since the team's inception in 1996, the Rapids have never opened the season at home and have compiled a 0-5 record with three of those losses coming in the shoot-out (potential ties). On opening day the Rapids have been outscored four goals to eight with only 1996's opening loss to the Kansas City Wizards being by more than one goal.

RAPIDS ALSO LOOKING FOR FIRST WIN AT LOCKHART STADIUM AGAINST FUSION:

Saturday's match-up (5:30 p.m. MT, KTVD [UPN] Ch.20) against the Miami Fusion at Lockhart Stadium marks the eighth time the Rapids have faced the Fusion (3 wins, 5 losses). The Rapids, however, have not won at Lockhart Stadium (four straight losses) since the Fusion joined the league in 1998.

RAPIDS WITHOUT THE SERVICES OF JUNIOR AGOGO FOR SEASON OPENER:

The Rapids will be without the services of forward Junior Agogo for Saturday's game. Agogo will be serving a mandatory, one-game suspension for a red card received on September 24 against the 2000 MLS Cup Champion Kansas City Wizards in the third playoff game last season. Agogo was ejected for dangerous play in the 75th minute and will be required to sit out Saturday's match.

Miami's Carlos Llamosa will also miss Saturday's match for a red-card suspension for receiving a red card in D.C. United's final match of the 2000 season against, none other than, the Miami Fusion.

MANY NEW FACES ON RAPIDS TEAM TO MAKE DEBUT ON SATURDAY:

The 2001 Colorado Rapids team will make their debut in more ways than just one. Rapids head coach Tim Hankinson and assistant coach Luc Sanders will make their first appearance on the Rapids sidelines in a league match.

Scottish forward John Spencer and South African forward Neathan Gibson will also look to make their first league start for the team. The Rapids top 2001 MLS SuperDraft selection, Stephen Herdsman, will also look to make his professional debut against the Fusion.

On the broadcast side, Seamus Malin, will make his debut in the Rapids' broadcast booth for the game televised on KTVD, (UPN) Channel 20.

RAPIDS' ANNUAL "MEET THE RAPIDS" DAY BACK AT MILE HIGH STADIUM ON SUNDAY:

This Sunday, April 8, marks the annual, favorite "Meet the Rapids" Day as fans are treated (from 3-5 p.m.) to the chance to meet all their favorite Rapids stars and leave with plenty of photographs and autographs.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Mile High Stadium, fans can enter through Gate 3 and await the introduction of the 2001 Colorado Rapids, fresh back from the team's season opener in Miami. The team will be introduced around 3:15 and then all fans will be able to join the team on the field to meet and chat with players, get autographs, and take pictures with their favorite Rapids players. This event is free and open to the public.

RAPIDS AND KICKS FOR KIDS SPONSORS TO HOST PRIVATE EVENT AT MILE HIGH STADIUM:

The Colorado Rapids and their "Kicks for Kids" sponsors will host an egg hunt on Sunday, April 8, at Mile High Stadium for the underprivileged, inner-city youth that are a part of the Rapids' program. The event runs from 1- 3 p.m. with the egg hunt beginning at 1:30 p.m. Approximately 300 inner-city children (ages 6-12) will receive an egg basket, gifts from sponsors, a meal, eggs (with toys inside), the chance to enter the Dribble, Pass, and Shoot competition, and they get to "Meet the Rapids" (3-5 p.m.) afterwards.

"Kicks for Kids" is a program designed to benefit underprivileged children through the integration of soccer and corporate donations. Through the program, underprivileged inner-city kids are given the opportunity to attend games through sponsor-purchased tickets with about 1,400 children attending each home game.

RAPID FIRE STORY POINTS

* Ross Paule needs 3 goals and 1 assist to reach the 20/20 plateau.

* John Spencer, Neathan Gibson, Steve Herdsman, Imad Baba, and Geoff Aunger will look to make their Rapids' debut..

* Steve Herdsman will look to make his professional debut.

* Key Opponent to watch: Diego Serna, Forward (16 goals, 10 assists in 2000).

KEY MATCHUP: Colorado D Stephen Herdsman vs. Miami F Diego Serna: Despite the recent acquisition of Robin Fraser, the veteran's injury will ensure that Herdsman will occupy the middle of the Rapids defense. Herdsman should have his hands full with the crafty Serna, who knows every trick in the book when it comes to goal scoring (16 goals, 10 assists in 2000). Herdsman will need all his speed to match Serna's guile and perhaps a mistake-free performance to avoid being victimized.

INJURY UPDATE:

Keyeno Thomas 		(broken left wrist)			Out 
Robin Fraser		(abdominal sprain)			Out
Marcelo Balboa 		(abdominal strain)			Questionable

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