RAPIDS ROLL TO 3-0 VICTORY OVER LEAGUE'S TOP TEAM AT INVESCO FIELD

Carrieri, Kingsley and Chung Score Against Earthquakes as Rapids Solidify Playoff Chances

DENVER (Saturday, August 24, 2002) - The Colorado Rapids evened up the season series with the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday afternoon, defeating the defending champions 3-0 at INVESCO Field. Colorado forward Chris Carrieri had the game winning goal early in the first half, while midfielder Mark Chung added a goal and an assist to his season tally.

Chris Carrieri netted his tenth goal of the season in the eighth minute of play, a blistering half volley shot that blazed past goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Carlos Valderrama, starting in his league-record 171st consecutive game, booted an early ball from midfield over the San Jose defense into space near the edge of the box. Carrieri ran onto the ball and ripped a low, one-touch shot past Cannon for the opening goal.

The Earthquakes moved the ball through the midfield well, but were unable to connect on the final pass. Manny Lagos had the best chance for San Jose in the 22d minute, a sharp-angled shot from close range that goalkeeper David Kramer parried away with an outstretched left hand.

A trio of shots hit the woodwork in the second half, adding spice to the second stanza of the match. Mark Chung's 55th minute free kick prompted a diving save by Cannon, who could only watch as Chung pounded the rebound off the crossbar. Ten minutes later, Ariel Graziani saw his equalizer chance ricochet off the near post, while Valderrama sent a shot clanging off the upper corner of the goal.

Rapids' rookie Zach Kingsley notched his second career goal in the 67th minute, nodding away a perfectly placed outswinging corner kick by Chung. Kingsley found room in the box and connected well, redirecting the ball to the far post and out of the reach of Cannon for the 2-0 lead.

Colorado added the third and final goal in stoppage time, after Cannon was ejected from the match for taking down Seth Trembly on a breakaway chance. Chung stepped to the spot, easily blowing the conversion past backup goalkeeper Jon Conway to ice the game at 3-0.

San Jose (13-8-3, 42 points) still remains atop the Western Conference and League standings, remaining the only team to have secured a playoff berth. The `Quakes will next take on the D.C. United on Saturday, August 31st at RFK Stadium. While United has struggled this season, the Quakes have not fared well on the road, posting a 2-8-2 record away from Spartan Stadium.

Colorado (11-10-3, 36 points) remains one point behind Dallas in the Western Conference, currently holding the fourth spot on the list. The Rapids travel to the newly renamed Gillette Stadium, home of MLS Cup 2002, to face the New England Revolution on Wednesday, August 28th.

                        		1     2     F
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES    	0     0     0
COLORADO RAPIDS         	1     2     3

Scoring Summary:
COL--Carrieri (Valderrama, Mastroeni) 8
COL--Kingsley (Chung) 67
COL--Chung (PK) 93

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES--Joe Cannon, Wade Barrett, Ramiro Corrales, Jimmy
Conrad, Eddie Robinson (Dwayne DeRosario 58), Ronnie Ekelund (Luchi Gonzalez
82), Ian Russell (Zak Ibsen 61), Manny Lagos, Richard Mulrooney, Landon
Donovan, Ariel Graziani (Jon Conway 92+)
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Lagos 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Lagos 2); FOULS: 23 (Corrales 4,
Graziani 4); OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: Cannon 3; CAUTIONS:
Corrales 53, Barrett 66, Ibsen 81; EJECTIONS: Cannon 91+; POSSESSION
PERCENTAGE: 52%

COLORADO RAPIDS--David Kramer, Jeff Stewart, Robin Fraser, Rick Titus, Pablo
Mastroeni, Mark Chung, Carlos Valderrama, Zach Kingsley, Wes Hart, Chris
Henderson, Chris Carrieri (Seth Trembly 87)
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Chung 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Chung 3); FOULS: 18 (Titus 4);
OFFSIDE: 6; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: Kramer 3; CAUTIONS: Mastroeni 35, Titus
45; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 48%

Referee: Richard Heron; Assistant Referees: Daniel Wilson, Greg Watson
Attendance: 12,196; Weather: 86F, Warm, Sunny

Post Game Quotes:

Coach Tim Hankinson:

Since we've changed up the system, we know that we're a better team. We had a big letdown in L.A. - three or four actually, but the guys came out today and responded with responsible play and showed that they were ready to compete. That's part of the makeup of this team and it's great that we could come back after the L.A. game and put on such a great showing in front of the home fans and nationally televised audience.

Mark Chung:

I think we did very well pressuring them. We did great going forward and getting our chances. Chris (Henderson) and Chris (Carrieri) made great runs today and we all rallied together.

Chris Carrieri:

I think Fraser said it best when we came together before the starting lineups. We've gotta come out of the starting blocks and in the last couple of games we haven't done that. Teams have been taking it to us and we have been back on our heels. It was good to get the early goal, because San Jose is that good of a team where if they get a lead it is always tough to come back.

Zach Kingsley:

Offensively, we put them on their heels and they seemed to be dragging. When we got our first goal, they seemed to put their heads down a little bit and even more after the second goal. (Describing his goal) I faked like I was going to the far post and went near post instead. I was open at the right time and the ball came perfectly, so I just put my head on it and sent it to the back post.

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