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Rapids forward Shaun Bartlett sailed two balls over the cross bar in the first half and hit the post in the opening minutes of the second half before the Wiz, ignited by an enthusiastic opening day home crowd and the offensive firepower of Zimbabwe National Team forward Digital Takawira, who scored two goals, won its home opener with three second-half goals.
"Shaun had three good chances on goal that just missed," said Rapids Coach Bob Houghton. "If we put one of those away we have a chance to quiet the crowd. It is a great advantage to start the season at home. There was so much excitement here, such a great atmosphere. It is important that we create that same atmosphere in Denver when we open at home on Sunday against Dallas. If we play in front of that kind of crowd on Sunday I am sure we will respond very well.
"Despite the loss it is great to get Majore League Soccer rolling and see the excitement this league creates. I am delighted with the potential of MLS."
The crowd never let down after Takawira nailed in a rebound from a Frank Klopas shot saved by Rapid goalkeeper Dusty Hudock in the 71st minute. After that goal, with under 20 minutes to go in the game, the Rapids were forced to push forward and were victimized by two late goals.
U.S. National Team forward Frank Klopas scored the Wiz's seond goal in the 77th minute and Takawira rounded out the Wiz's scoring with another rebound goal in the 83rd minute.
The Rapids played the game without "marquee" player Marcelo Balboa, who is expected to join the team Wednesday. Balboa, the captain of the U.S. National Team, just completed a full season in the Mexican Premier League with Leon. Another Rapids "marquee" player, English Premier League veteran Roy Wegerle, played the final 20 minutes of the match and could see more action in the Rapids next game, following a full recovery from pre-season knee surgery.
Other scores around Major League Soccer this evening include a 4-0 win by Columbus over Washington D.C., and a 3-2 victory for Tampa Bay over New England. Los Angeles and New York/New Jersey started later.
The Rapids return home to Denver to host the Dallas Burn in their home opener at Mile High Stadium next Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. Tickets for the match, which range in price from $8-18, are available by calling 299-1599.
Saturday, April 13 - 7:30 p.m. CST Arrowhead Stdium, Kansas City Crowd: 21,141 1 2 FINAL COLORADO 0 0 0 KANSAS CITY 0 3 3 SCORING SUMMARY: TEAM NAME MINUTE KC Takawira 71 KC Klopas 78 KC Takawira 81 LINEUPS: COLORADO: Dusty Hudock, Denis Hamlett, Ian Butterworth, Troy Edward, Matt Kmostko, Chris Henderson (Richard Sharpe, 77), Steve Trittschuh, Dominic Kinnear, Scott Benedetti (Roy Wegerle, 77), Shaun Bartlett, Jean Harbor. KANSAS CITY: Pat Harrington, Samuel Ekeme, Sean Bowers, Uche Okafor, Tommy Reasoner (Scott Uderitz, 83), Eric Eichmann, Matt McKeon, Preki, Mark Chung, Frank Klopas (Diego Guttierez, 83), Digital Takawira. STATISTICAL SUMMARY: COLORADO KANSAS CITY Goals 0 3 Total Shots 8 23 Shots on Goal 4 12 Saves 9 0 Corner Kicks 3 6 Offensive Time 36min. 54min.