Rapids' Pablo Mastroeni and Ritchie Kotschau Called Up to U.S. National Team for Match vs. Mexico

CONCACAF Region's Giants to Match Up on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30 p.m. Live on Telemundo, Fox Sports World and HDNet from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX

DENVER, CO (04-26-04) - The Colorado Rapids announced today that defenders Pablo Mastroeni and Ritchie Kotschau have been added to the United States National Team's roster for their match against CONCACAF arch-rival Mexico, to be played on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30 p.m. (MT) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. The two Colorado veterans were originally penciled in as alternates on Head Coach Bruce Arena's roster, but were called into camp on Sunday due to injuries sustained by fellow defenders Danny Califf and Cory Gibbs during MLS weekend action.

Mastroeni, who anchored the Black and Blue midfield during 18 games last season, most recently played with the United Sates in their 1-0 win against Poland on March 31, 2004. The third year Rapids player, who moved from the midfield to the back line in 2004, left the friendly match played in Poland with a hip pointer that sidelined him for the first two Rapids MLS regular season matches this year. Mastroeni finally made his 2004 Rapids debut against the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday in the team's 1-0 win over the two-time MLS Cup Champions at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Mastroeni has earned a total of 26 caps with the United States National Team, including games during the team's impressive run in the 2002 World Cup.

Kotschau was last called up to the U.S. National Team to be part of the18-man roster that faced fellow CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying participant Haiti in a game that was played on Saturday, March 13 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fl. Kotschau has started on the left side of the Rapids defense in all the three 2004 regular season games, playing all 270 minutes with the Black and Blue.

Dallas Burn defender Cory Gibbs was sidelined with a groin injury in the Burn's 1-0 victory against Kansas City at the Cotton Bowl. Los Angeles Galaxy defender Dan Califf suffered a sprained MCL in the Galaxy's 2-0 win against Columbus at the Home Depot Center. Mastroeni and Kotschau were called in as reinforcements, both arriving in time for the team's first training session Sunday afternoon in Dallas.

The USA vs. Mexico match will be televised live by Telemundo, FoxSports World and HDNet on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:30 MT.