MASTROENI AVAILABLE TO LOCAL MEDIA FOR FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD CUP AT TUESDAY PRESS LUNCHEON

Rapids Weekly Media Luncheon to Feature World Cup Star Pablo Mastroeni

Rapids midfielder and U.S. National Team star Pablo Mastroeni will be available for media requests for the first time since his return from Korea at the Rapids weekly media luncheon on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. After helping the United States achieve its best World Cup finish in the modern era, Mastroeni returned to action last Wednesday in the 1-0 win over the MetroStars at Giants Stadium. After a two-week absence because of the recently completed road trip, the Colorado Rapids weekly media luncheon at Westminster Training Facility will return to its regular schedule on Tuesday.

Zambelli Family Fireworks Tradition Continues

For more than 90 years, three generations of the Zambelli family have provided quality, safety and showmanship in its spectacular firework displays. This July 4 at INVESCO Field, for the seventh straight year, the family will present the Colorado Rapids annual fireworks extravaganza. Zambelli is the oldest and largest American firm that both manufactures and presents fireworks displays. Fireworker Antonio Zambelli traveled from Italy to New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1893 to establish the Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company. The family company has become the center for America's fireworks and is home to 25 percent of the nation's manufacturers.

Bigger and Better Than Ever

The annual fireworks extravaganza this Fourth of July at INVESCO Field will once again be the biggest display in the state of Colorado. The firework display following the Rapids game against Chicago is also officially the biggest and best celebration in Rapids history. The fireworks are scheduled to begin immediately following the Rapids 7:00 p.m. game and will last approximately 25 minutes. The Fourth of July game and fireworks spectacular has seen an increase in attendance each year since its inception in 1996. Last year, 60,500 fans packed into Mile High Stadium for the final display at the venerable old building. This year a record crowd is expected to witness the show, where the fireworks will be synchronized to a wide variety of patriotic music and will include songs such as New York, New York, God Bless America and The 1812 Overture.

Important Parking Information for July 4th Game

Parking for the Colorado Rapids July 4th game against the Chicago Fire and fireworks extravaganza will be available at three locations, with only limited parking available at INVESCO Field. Fans are strongly urged to arrive early as the best spots at INVESCO Field are expected to be filled before the start of the 7:00 p.m. game. For many fans, the RTD Light Rail will prove the most efficient means of reaching the stadium on Thursday. Fans can park at the Auraria Campus and then ride the light rail two stops to INVESCO Field for $1.10. The light rail will run every five minutes until 1 a.m. The light rail also stops at the Pepsi Center, only one stop from INVESCO. Parking will also be available at Six Flags Elitch Gardens for $8.

Rapids begin U.S. Open Cup Play in Charleston on July 17

Colorado Rapids Wives to Collect Money for Wildfire Victims, Donations to Red Cross

Rapids wives, wearing their husbands' jerseys, will be collecting monetary donations at the gates of INVESCO Field prior to and during the July 4 game between the Rapids and the Chicago Fire to benefit victims of the Colorado wildfires. The donations, collected from 6-8 p.m., will be handled by the Rapids Foundation, which will make a check presentation to the Red Cross' Disaster Relief Fund following the game. Fans are encouraged to bring cash to help the cause! For more information, contact the Rapids Foundation at 303-299-1526.

Injury Report: Scott Garlick - Probable - sprained right wrist

Training Schedule:
Tuesday, July 2 - 10:00 a.m. at Westminster Training Facility
			Media Luncheon follows at 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3 - 10:00 a.m. at INVESCO Field at Mile High 
Thursday, July 4 - 7:00 p.m. Match v. Chicago Fire at INVESCO Field
			Fireworks immediately follow game 
Friday, July 5 - Off day 
Saturday, July 6 - 9:30 a.m. at Westminster Training Facility
		 		Team departs for Chicago at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 7 - 2:00 p.m. MT match v. Chicago Fire at Cardinal Stadium
			(Live on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain)


Western Conference
  TEAM                     GP   W   L   T  PTS  GF  GA  STREAKS  LAST 10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Earthquakes       15   9   4   2   29  25  14   Won  2   6-2-2
Dallas Burn                14   6   3   5   23  21  18   Won  1   5-2-3
Colorado Rapids            15   7   7   1   22  20  24   Won  1   5-5-0
Los Angeles Galaxy         14   6   6   2   20  18  20   Lost 1   4-6-0
Kansas City Wizards        14   4   5   5   17  18  20   Lost 1   3-4-3

Overall Standings
  TEAM                     GP   W   L   T  PTS  GF  GA  STREAKS  LAST 10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose Earthquakes       15   9   4   2   29  25  14   Won  2   6-2-2
Dallas Burn                14   6   3   5   23  21  18   Won  1   5-2-3
Colorado Rapids            15   7   7   1   22  20  24   Won  1   5-5-0
MetroStars                 14   6   6   2   20  21  17   Won  1   3-5-2
Los Angeles Galaxy         14   6   6   2   20  18  20   Lost 1   4-6-0
D.C. United                13   6   6   1   19  17  18   Won  2   5-4-1
Columbus Crew              14   5   6   3   18  18  20   Lost 1   4-3-3
Chicago Fire               13   5   6   2   17  20  18   Lost 3   4-4-2
Kansas City Wizards        14   4   5   5   17  18  20   Lost 1   3-4-3
N.E. Revolution            14   4   9   1   13  21  30   Lost 2   3-7-0

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