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NEWS RELEASE
DENVER (Friday, March 21, 1997) -- The Colorado Rapids take their preseason training camp from the grapefruit circuit to apple territory this weekend, playing the Yakima Reds of the Division 3 USISL on Sunday in Yakima, Wash.
The trip will be a homecoming of sorts for several Rapids players. Two goalkeepers making the trip -- Marcus Hahnemann and Dusty Hudock -- hail from the Northwest, as do Rapids midfielders Scott Benedetti, of Portland, Ore., and Chris and Sean Henderson, of Everett, Wash. The Hendersons' older brother, Pat, will suit up for the Reds, who take on the Rapids at 3 p.m. MST at Yakima County Stadium. Many members of the Henderson family are expected to be on hand to watch the brothers go head-to-head in the exhibition match.
"The guys and myself are looking forward to getting another preseason training match under our belt before, the regular season starts next week in Columbus," said Rapids coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick. "The fact that so many of our guys come from the Northwest only makes the trip that much more of a bonus."
The Rapids are 3-1-3 thus far in preseason, including a 1-0-2 mark posted during their first two weeks of spring training, against professional teams in Guadalajara, Mexico. Colorado then posted a 1-1-1 record against Major League Soccer opponents during a week-long stint in Orlando, Fla. The Rapids also defeated the USISL's Orlando Sundogs during the grapefruit training leg.
The Yakima Reds are sponsored by the Yakima-based Red Robin Restaurants Co., which has signed on as a major sponsorship partner with the Rapids this season.
The 1997 Major League Soccer season kicks off this weekend as well, Eric Wynalda and the San Jose Clash host Tony Meola and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at 6 p.m. MST on Saturday, March 22, at Spartan Stadium. ESPN2 will broadcast the game live.
The Colorado Rapids open their MLS season Saturday, March 29, at the Columbus Crew. The Rapids return to Colorado for their home opener at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Mile High Stadium.
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