NEWS RELEASECopyright Intermark®, Inc.(since 1990)(SoccerNews OnLine®) 1995 - 2002, All Rights Reserved
WARNING! Prior Permission from MLS is required for ANY use of Logos, photos, trademarks, etc!
reprint of COLORADO RAPIDS NEWS RELEASE -- byline Andy Engel
NEWS RELEASE
DENVER (Monday, June 17, 2002) -With a goal and assist from forward Taylor Twellman, the New England Revolution ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 at INVESCO Field at Mile High on Saturday night.
The game's opening goal came in the 22nd minute as Twellman found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season. Twellman drilled a low right-footed blast inside the left post, joining Ruiz and Kreis in a tie for the League's goal scoring lead (10). Ralston also extended his League-lead in the assist department with his ninth helper.
In the 40th minute defender Ritchie Kotschau sent a low, strong centering pass from the left side of the box but Revs defender Joey Franchino was there to thwart Mark Chung's attempt to knock it toward goal. The ball was deflected to an onrushing Chris Carrieri, whose quick shot was also deflected by defender Daniel Hernandez.
In the 57th minute defender Brian Kamler intercepted a short clearance by the Colorado back line 35 yards from goal and passed ahead to Twellman, who had his back to goal. Twellman then sent a heel pass in the direction of Kamler, who had continued his run into the box. He held off the charge from defender Rick Titus to slot home his fifth career MLS goal from 10 yards out, his first goal in a Revolution uniform.
Seven minutes later Rapids playmaker Carlos Valderrama responded with a 20-yard right-footed shot which Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown had to dive near the left post to save. Brown, a former Colorado Rapids player, also foiled a 75th minute run into the box by substitute Steve Herdsman.
Colorado was able to pull one back in the 82nd minute on a well-taken goal by Carrieri, the lone forward in the Rapids formation. Flank midfielder Chung beat Jay Heaps down the left side and fed Carrieri on the left side of the Revs penalty area. The 22-year-old Project-40 player then took one touch before blasting a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Things were seemingly falling apart for New England when Hernandez was sent off moments later for a foul from behind on Carrieri. However, despite playing the final minutes with ten men, New England was able to survive the frenzied finish by the home team.
The Rapids return home to INVESCO Field on Saturday, July 4 when they host the Chicago Fire at 7 p.m. MT.
U.S. fans had a lot to celebrate early Monday morning as Team USA defeated Mexico 2-0 in its first ever elimination-round victory since 1930. The win also marked the first shutout in World Cup history for the Red, White and Blue since it upset England 1-0 in 1950. Team USA took an early lead in the 8th minute, as forward Josh Wolff passed the ball off to an open Brian McBride in the middle of the box. McBride then rocketed a shot through three Mexico defenders and Mexico goalie Oscar Perez. Mexico had their first opportunity to even the score in the 35th minute when a cross from forward Jared Borgetti deflected off a U.S. defender toward USA goalkeeper Brian Friedel. Friedel was challenged by Mexico forward Luis Hernandez, but managed to punch the ball away from the goal, unfortunately right to the feet of midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco who chipped it back at Friedel. Friedel was quick to push the ball over the bar in another save. The second half proved to be the clincher for team USA, as Landon Donovan nodded a header past Perez off a perfect cross from Eddie Lewis in the 65th minute. Team USA will now face Group E winner Germany on Friday live on ESPN2 at 5:25 a.m. MT.
The Rapids usual Tuesday Media Luncheon at the Westminster Training Facility will NOT be held this week due to the team's three-game road trip.
Colorado Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni played a large hand in Monday's Round of 16 victory over Mexico in Jeonju, Korea at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Despite constant challenge from Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Mastroeni kept his composure and played 86 minutes in Team USA's 2-0 shutout of Mexico, helping to limit the Mexican offensive to just 12 shots. Mastroeni is a hopeful starter for the quarterfinal game against Germany this Friday in Ulsan, Korea. Team USA has allowed only two goals in the eight games this year in which Mastroeni has been in the line-up. Mastroeni will return to the Rapids line-up at the beginning of July after completing World Cup duty.
Rapids captain John Spencer was back in uniform on Saturday night for the first time since May 18. After missing the last three games due to a left knee arthroscopy, Spencer is probable for this week, as the Rapids take to the road for three games in eight days. Spencer still holds the ninth spot in MLS points per game with an average of 1.35 points per 90 minutes.
After recovering from this weekend's disappointing loss to the New England Revolution, the Rapids will take to the road for three games this week. Colorado first travels to Washington D.C. to face DC United on Wednesday, June 19th at 5:30 p.m. MT (AT&T Broadband). The Rapids shutout United 2-0 earlier this season at home on April 3. The club then heads west to face current Western Conference leader, the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. MT (Fox Sports Rocky Mountain). The teams are even at 1-1-0 so far this season, with the Earthquakes claiming the last victory on April 30 at Spartan Stadium. Then it's back to the east coast, as the Rapids face the New York/New Jersey MetroStars on Wednesday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m. MT (Fox Sports Rocky Mountain). The MetroStars, who claimed a 2-1 victory when the teams met at INVESCO on April 13, are currently in third place in the Eastern Conference.
Starting midfielder Mark Chung is on a rampaging four-game point-scoring streak, dating back to May 22 when he registered two goals against the New England Revolution - a performance which earned him MLS Player of the Week honors. The MLS veteran followed that showing with another two-goal game against the L.A. Galaxy, again earning him Player of the Week honors. Next, Chung scored the Rapids' only goal against the Dallas Burn in a losing effort on June 8 and then contributed an assist on Chris Carrieri's goal in the 82nd minute on Saturday against New England. Chung is looking to keep his point scoring streak alive this week as the Rapids face DC United on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. MT at RFK Stadium (AT&T Broadband).
Injury Report: Spencer - Left Knee Arthroscopy - Probable Training Schedule: Tuesday, June 18th - Depart for Washington DC at 7:00 a.m. Arrive in DC at 2:20 p.m. Training at RFK Stadium - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 19th - 5:30 p.m. MT Game vs. DC United at RFK Stadium Thursday, June 20th - Depart DC at 6:30 a.m. Arrive in Denver at 10:35 a.m. Training - TBD Friday, June 21st - Depart for San Jose at 7:00 a.m. Training at Spartan Stadium - 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15th - 8:00 p.m. MT Game vs. San Jose at Spartan Stadium Western Conference TEAM GP W L T PTS GF GA STREAKS LAST 10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- San Jose Earthquakes 13 7 4 2 23 19 13 Lost 1 5-3-2 Dallas Burn 12 5 2 5 20 20 15 Won 2 4-1-5 Colorado Rapids 12 6 5 1 19 19 18 Lost 2 5-5-0 Los Angeles Galaxy 12 5 5 2 17 15 19 Lost 1 3-5-2 Kansas City Wizards 11 3 4 4 13 13 15 Won 1 3-4-3 Overall Standings TEAM GP W L T PTS GF GA STREAKS LAST 10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- San Jose Earthquakes 13 7 4 2 23 19 13 Lost 1 5-3-2 Dallas Burn 12 5 2 5 20 20 15 Won 2 4-1-5 Colorado Rapids 12 6 5 1 19 19 18 Lost 2 5-5-0 Chicago Fire 12 5 5 2 17 20 17 Lost 2 4-4-2 Columbus Crew 12 5 5 2 17 17 18 Won 2 4-4-2 Los Angeles Galaxy 12 5 5 2 17 15 19 Lost 1 3-5-2 MetroStars 11 4 5 2 14 18 16 Won 1 3-5-2 N.E. Revolution 12 4 7 1 13 19 25 Won 1 4-5-1 D.C. United 11 4 6 1 13 14 18 Lost 1 4-5-1 Kansas City Wizards 11 3 4 4 13 13 15 Won 1 3-4-3
As you may be aware, the Governor of Colorado has announced a ban on fireworks in Colorado during the current drought emergency. Please be advised that this ban does not apply to professional shows. The Colorado Rapids annual fireworks extravaganza at INVESCO Field at Mile High falls into this category, which we have confirmed with the City/County of Denver and State of Colorado. This means that our display following the July 4 game against Chicago will go on as planned. For further information, please call the Rapids at 303-299-1599.
Click Here to Return to COLORADO RAPIDS News Releases Home Page
Click Here to Return to COLORADO RAPIDS HOME PAGE
Please Send Us Your Comments and Suggestions
Copyright Intermark®, Inc.(since 1990)(SoccerNews OnLine®) 1995 - 2002, All Rights Reserved