COLORADO RAPIDS NAME BRUCE BROWN GOALKEEPER COACH

Brown, the 1995 Colorado Boys' High School Coach of the Year, has the advantage of having worked with some of Major League Soccer's biggest goalkeeping names. His resume boasts time spent with 1990 and 1994 U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Tony Meola (New York/New Jersey MetroStars), as well as former Colorado Foxes talents Mark Dodd (Dallas Burn) and Jim St. Andre (New England Revolution).

Most recently, he has been coaching boys and girls varsity teams at Overland High School in Aurora. In his 18 years with the Trailblazers, the team has captured three state championship titles, and had final four appearances 11 other times. Prior to his time at Overland. Brown coached at Heritage High School, Arapahoe Community College and Smoky Hill High School.

"Bruce Brown's experience both on and off the field is impressive by any standards," said Rapids Head Coach Bob Houghton. "His credentials as both a player and coach should allow Rapids goalkeepers to be the most well-prepared in MLS."

As a youth playing for Riverside and Littleton soccer clubs, Browm had the opportunity to play against fellow Rapids assistant coach Emilio Romero. At Littleton High School he was awarded all-state goalkeeper honors three times under coach Lou Wilson. Brown played at Colorado State University in Fort Collins for four years, spending his junior and senior years also playing as an amateur with the North American Soccer League's Denver Dynamos.

Brown's career took an international twist two years later when he was signed to play with the Guarani Football Club in Campinas, Brazil. To finish off his playing career, he returned back to the United States to play briefly for the NASL's Minnesota Kicks and Colorado Caribou.

The Rapids open their home season on April 21, 1996, at Mile High Stadium against the Dallas Burn at 2:00 p.m. For ticket information please call (303) 299-1599.