COLORADO RAPIDS FALL TO ROCHESTER RHINOS, 3-01, IN U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINAL

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (October 12, 1996) -- The Colorado Rapids saw their season come, to an end tonight at Frontier Field, falling to the A-League's Rochester Rhinos, 3-0, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. An near-capacity crowd of 12,179 was out in full force to see the Rhinos advance to the finals of the nation's oldest tournament.

The Rhinos had several good chances to score in the first half, but a big save by Rapids goalkeeper Chris Woods and a goal line block from Steve Trittschuh kept the halftime score at 1-0 after forward Lenin Steenkamp's goal put the Rhinos in the lead in the 32nd minute.

The second half was no better for the Rapids -- a back-heel from Henry Gutierrez was sent home by Doug Miller to the far post in the 56th minute, putting the Rhinos ahead 2-0. The nail in the Rapids' coffin was hammered in minute 85 when Hector Marinaro broke down the right side, chipped the ball across the box and Doug Miller headed it in to beat Woods at the near post. The Rhinos shut out the Rapid, 3-0, for the final score in Rochester.

The Rapids are required to submit their protected player list October 29. Team President Robert Sanderman, who is currently interviewing candidates for the head coach and general manager positions, said several changes in the Rapids roster are expected. Colorado could extend its '96 season by playing in an invitational tournament in Seattle this November. The tournament would feature a first division team from Mexico and the A-League's Seattle Sounders. Final details have not been completed on the tournament.

Colorado Rapids vs. Rochester Rhinos (A-League)
Saturday, October 12,1996 -- 7:35 p.m. EDT
Frontier Field, Rochester, N.Y.
Attendance: 12,179
Clear, cool: -- 50 degrees

                            1             2            F
 Colorado                   0             0            0
Rochester                   1             2            3



ROC           Steenkanip (Marinaro)            32
ROC           Miller (Gutierrez)               56
ROC           Miller (Marinaro)                85

COL: Chris Woods;Troy Edwards (Scott Cannon, 46), Steve Trittschuh, Dennis Hamlett, Sean Henderson, Matt Kmosko, ScottBencdetti, Roy Wegerle, Chris Henderson, Jean Harbor (Marcelo Balboa, 79), Shaun Batrtlett.

ROC: Rhett Thompson, Yuri Simotrich, Rene Rivas (Darrel Stuart.), Chris Kennell, Fusicni Dauda, Henry Gutierrez, Tommy Tanner, Yogi McKay (Tim Ashe, 84.), Lenin Steenkamp, Doug Millet, Hector Marinaro.

                              Colorado           Rochester
 Shots                        14                   14
 Save                         8                    14
 Corner Kicks                 9                    4
 Offside                      6                    1