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NEWS RELEASE
DENVER (May 31, 1996) -- When the San Jose Clash host the Columbus Crew June 1 at 7:30 p.m. PDT at Spartan Stadium, Major League Soccer's one millionth fan will come through the turnstiles before kickoff to cheer the action. Major League Soccer's success has exceeded the expectations of many across the nation.
In honor of MLS' one millionth fan, the Colorado Rapids will salute one of its fans - picked at random while entering a gate - with a festive-filled presentation. The fan will receive an authentic Rapids' uniform and a signed ball and take part in the team photograph before the game. The stating 11 for the Rapids will wear T-shirts for the opening reading across the starting 11 "1,000,000 FANS." (Photographers are encouraged to arrive at Gate 9 by 1:00 p.m. to be apart of the celebration.)
Initial projections put the one millionth soccer fall entering an MLS stadium at some point around the league's 84th game. Major League Soccer is currently averaging 21,483 fans through this Wednesday's action -- a dramatic increase over the original projections of 10,000 to 12,000 per game. With more than 923,000 fans having already converged upon the ten MLS venues across the country, the Clash and Crew will play the league's 47th game on Saturday night.
The Rapids applaud their own fans here in Colorado for their continued dedication and contribution to the one million mark -- the team played in front of 10,971 fans this past Wednesday evening, when they beat the Dallas Burn for the second time this season, 3-0, and is averaging 13,231, including 22,000 for its home opener. The Colorado Rapids will salute their fans at Mile High Stadium on Sunday when the Rapids host John Harkes and the Washington D.C. United (2 p.m. kickoff).
The Rapids will prepare for the Sunday's D.C. United matchup with a training session this Saturday morning at Mile Hi Stadium from 10-11 a.m. Media are encouraged to attend.