Former Rapids Midfielder Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama Named to "The FIFA 100"

List Names the 100 Greatest Living Soccer Players in the World

DENVER, CO (03-04-04)- In association with its centennial celebration, FIFA, the world soccer governing body, released its list of the 100 Greatest Living Soccer Players today with former Rapids midfielder Carlos Valderrama making the list. The Colombian midfield maestro was known equally for his precision passing and his floppy orange hair.

"El Pibe" as he was known by the world, played the final year and a half of his career with the Rapids after being traded to the club from Tampa Bay in June 2001. In 29 career games with the club, he tallied one goal and 19 assists for 21 points. Sixteen of his 19 assists came in his final MLS season when he set a single-season team record. Valderrama played in each of the first seven seasons of MLS and is the league's all-time leader in assists with 114.

In 2000, Valderrama, who was capped 111 times by Colombia, notched a single-season record with 26 assists, seven more than the previous record of 19, which he had set in 1996. He is one of five former or current MLS players to have been named to the list, joining Hong Myung Bo (Korea), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Hugo Sanchez (Mexico) and Hristo Stoitchkov (Bulgaria).

FIFA, in honor of its 100 years, selected Brazilian legend Pelé to choose the 100 living soccer players that represent the best, most outstanding, creative footballers of their generation. The selected players were then captured by some of the world's leading photographers for a worldwide traveling exhibit that will illustrate the best that "The Beautiful Game" has to offer.

A recent survey by FIFA showed that, in the 204 worldwide member nations that were polled, there are more than 240 million soccer players, meaning that Valderrama is in the top 0.00004 percent of those that play the game.

Rapids 2004 season tickets are on sale now! Rapids 2004 ticket prices are $10.00 End Line, $15.00 Touchline, $20.00 Premium, $25.00 VIP, $35.00 Club, and $40.00 Fieldside seats. Single game tickets will go on sale at a date to be determined in early to mid March. Rapids 2004 season tickets and group tickets are on sale now. For more information, please call the Rapids at 303.825.GOAL.