COLORADO RAPIDS DEFEAT KANSAS CITY WIZ IN U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINAL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 15., 1996) -- The Colorado Rapids salvaged a disappointing season tonight with an incredible 3-2 U.S. Open Cup victory over Major League Soccer's Kansas City Wiz.

The win at Arrowhead Stadium advances the Rapids to the semifinal of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in the United States.

Chris Henderson scored two goals for Colorado, his third and fourth of the season, including the game winner with five minutes remaining.

The Rapids were led by their new interim coach Roy Wegerle, who replaced former coach Bob Houghton this week, both on an off the field. The player/coach spearheaded the Rapids attack in the first half to a 2-1 lead.

Colorado scored first when Henderson volleyed in a miskick from Wiz goalkeeper Chris Snitko. The Rapids made it 2-1 with less than a minute remaining in the first half when Snitko dropped an easy shot and the rebound was knocked in by a Wiz defender.

Kansas City tied the game in the 62nd minute when Digital Takawira notched his 14th goal of the season. But Colorado. fighting to continue its season in the U.S. Open Cup, notched the game winner when Henderson knocked in a Matt Kmosko rebound. Later this month, Colorado will face the winner of tomorrow's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game between the A-League's Seattle Sounders and the Dallas Burn. The date and site are yet to be determined.

Colorado Rapids vs. Kansas City Wiz
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal
September 15, 1996
Arrowhead Stadium
Attendance: 5,009

                         1      2       F
Colorado                 2      1       3
Kansas City              I      1       2

COL            C. Henderson (unassisted)            10
KC             Sean Bowers (Johnston, Sorber)       36
COL            Kansas City own goal                 45
KC             Takawira (unassisted)                62
COL            Henderson (Kmosko)                   85

COL: Chris Woods, Sean Henderson. Denis Hamlett, Steve Trittschuh, Josh McKay, Chris Henderson, Scott Cannon, Matt Kmosko, Roy Wegerle (Raimo deVries, 66), Scott Benedetti, Jean Harbor (Richard Sharpe, 83).

KC: Chris Snitko (Mike Amann, 45), Matt McKeon (Paul Wright, 83), Uche Okafor, Sean Bowers, Diego Guttierez, Frank- Klopas (Alan Pranipin, 41), Mike Sorber (Kevin Koetters, 66), Preki, Mark Chung, Digitil Takawira, Mo Johnston.

                         COLORADO                         KANSAS CITY
Shots                    11                               16
Shots on Goal             8                                8
Saves                     4                                5
Fouls                    11                               12
Offside                   2                                2
Comer Kicks               5                                9
Offensive Poss.          39:00                            51:00